Rice (paddy) production in South Africa
In 2024 South Africa produced 3,082 t of rice (paddy), the 103rd largest in the world (0.00% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 0.8%. The record was 3,300 t in 2007. Area harvested: 1,058 ha, yield 2.9 t/ha.
The 2024 figure is imputed by FAO.
- Production, 2024
- 3,082 t
- World rank
- 103 of 115
- 10-year change
- +0.8%
- Record
- 3,300 t
- 2007
Rice (paddy) in South Africa, 1961–2024 (tonnes)
South Africa compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 0.00%
- 0.00% in 2014
- Yield, t/ha
- 2.9
- world 4.8 (−39%)
- kg per person
- 0.05
- world 100
- 10-year change
- +0.8%
- world +10%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 101 | Brunei | 3,612 | 0.00% |
| 102 | Puerto Rico | 3,498 | 0.00% |
| 103 | South Africa | 3,082 | 0.00% |
| 104 | Solomon Islands | 2,756 | 0.00% |
| 105 | Somalia | 2,000 | 0.00% |
Map of world production of rice (paddy)
Share of the world total; South Africa is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change | Area harvested, ha | Yield, t/ha |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 3,082 | 0.0% | 1,058 | 2.91 |
| 2023 | 3,082 | +0.0% | 1,066 | 2.89 |
| 2022 | 3,081 | 0.0% | 1,074 | 2.87 |
| 2021 | 3,081 | +0.0% | 1,079 | 2.86 |
| 2020 | 3,080 | 0.0% | 1,084 | 2.84 |
| 2019 | 3,080 | 0.0% | 1,094 | 2.82 |
| 2018 | 3,080 | +0.0% | 1,103 | 2.79 |
| 2017 | 3,079 | +0.1% | 1,113 | 2.77 |
| 2016 | 3,077 | +0.1% | 1,123 | 2.74 |
| 2015 | 3,074 | +0.6% | 1,130 | 2.72 |
| 2014 | 3,057 | +1.9% | 1,146 | 2.67 |
| 2013 | 3,000 | 0.0% | 1,150 | 2.61 |
| 2012 | 3,000 | −2.2% | 1,100 | 2.73 |
| 2011 | 3,067 | +0.1% | 1,173 | 2.61 |
| 2010 | 3,064 | −0.1% | 1,184 | 2.59 |
| 2009 | 3,067 | +2.2% | 1,197 | 2.56 |
| 2008 | 3,000 | −9.1% | 1,184 | 2.53 |
| 2007 | 3,300 | +5.8% | 1,316 | 2.51 |
| 2006 | 3,118 | −0.0% | 1,258 | 2.48 |
| 2005 | 3,119 | −0.1% | 1,274 | 2.45 |
| 2004 | 3,123 | −2.4% | 1,292 | 2.42 |
| 2003 | 3,200 | +6.7% | 1,340 | 2.39 |
| 2002 | 3,000 | −6.3% | 1,273 | 2.36 |
| 2001 | 3,200 | +6.7% | 1,400 | 2.29 |
| 2000 | 3,000 | +3.4% | 1,305 | 2.30 |
| 1999 | 2,900 | −4.3% | 1,263 | 2.30 |
| 1998 | 3,029 | −0.9% | 1,332 | 2.27 |
| 1997 | 3,058 | +0.1% | 1,359 | 2.25 |
| 1996 | 3,056 | +0.0% | 1,371 | 2.23 |
| 1995 | 3,055 | +0.0% | 1,385 | 2.21 |
| 1994 | 3,054 | +0.1% | 1,399 | 2.18 |
| 1993 | 3,052 | +0.0% | 1,413 | 2.16 |
| 1992 | 3,051 | +0.0% | 1,427 | 2.14 |
| 1991 | 3,050 | +35% | 1,442 | 2.12 |
| 1990 | 2,260 | −25% | 1,191 | 1.90 |
| 1989 | 3,000 | 0.0% | 1,300 | 2.31 |
| 1988 | 3,000 | 0.0% | 1,300 | 2.31 |
| 1987 | 3,000 | 0.0% | 1,300 | 2.31 |
| 1986 | 3,000 | 0.0% | 1,300 | 2.31 |
| 1985 | 3,000 | 0.0% | 1,300 | 2.31 |
| 1984 | 3,000 | 0.0% | 1,300 | 2.31 |
| 1983 | 3,000 | 0.0% | 1,300 | 2.31 |
| 1982 | 3,000 | 0.0% | 1,300 | 2.31 |
| 1981 | 3,000 | 0.0% | 1,300 | 2.31 |
| 1980 | 3,000 | 0.0% | 1,300 | 2.31 |
| 1979 | 3,000 | 0.0% | 1,300 | 2.31 |
| 1978 | 3,000 | 0.0% | 1,300 | 2.31 |
| 1977 | 3,000 | 0.0% | 1,300 | 2.31 |
| 1976 | 3,000 | 0.0% | 1,300 | 2.31 |
| 1975 | 3,000 | 0.0% | 1,300 | 2.31 |
| 1974 | 3,000 | 0.0% | 1,300 | 2.31 |
| 1973 | 3,000 | 0.0% | 1,300 | 2.31 |
| 1972 | 3,000 | +50% | 1,300 | 2.31 |
| 1971 | 2,000 | 0.0% | 1,300 | 1.54 |
| 1970 | 2,000 | 0.0% | 1,300 | 1.54 |
| 1969 | 2,000 | 0.0% | 1,300 | 1.54 |
| 1968 | 2,000 | 0.0% | 1,300 | 1.54 |
| 1967 | 2,000 | 0.0% | 1,300 | 1.54 |
| 1966 | 2,000 | 0.0% | 1,300 | 1.54 |
| 1965 | 2,000 | +5.3% | 1,300 | 1.54 |
| 1964 | 1,900 | +4.7% | 1,300 | 1.46 |
| 1963 | 1,814 | −17% | 1,300 | 1.40 |
| 1962 | 2,177 | −14% | 1,500 | 1.45 |
| 1961 | 2,540 | — | 1,600 | 1.59 |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 8,718 t USD 5.9 m
- Exporter rank
- 16 of 86
- Imports
- 1,669 t USD 862,000
- Importer rank
- 38 of 149
FAOSTAT detailed trade data, release of 23 July 2026; quantities in tonnes, values in current US dollars; exports include re-exports. World exporters and importers
Questions and answers
What is the production of rice (paddy) in South Africa?
South Africa produced 3,082 t in 2024, 0.00% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does South Africa rank in the world for production of rice (paddy)?
South Africa ranked 103rd of 115 countries in 2024. The largest producer was India with 26.6% of the world total.
How has the production of rice (paddy) in South Africa changed?
It rose by 0.8% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +10% for the world. The record was 3,300 t in 2007.
What is the yield of rice (paddy) in South Africa?
2.9 tonnes per hectare in 2024 (3,082 t from 1,058 ha), against a world average of 4.8 t/ha.
Does South Africa export or import rice?
In 2024 South Africa reported exports of 8,718 t (USD 5.9 m) and imports of 1,669 t (USD 862,000), according to FAOSTAT trade data.
Where does this data come from?
From FAOSTAT, the statistics database of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; the 2024 figure for South Africa is imputed by FAO. Shares, ranks and per-person figures are calculated by Husfarm.
Other large producers
Source: FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: Crops and livestock products. Accessed on 4 November 2026. fao.org/faostat. Licence: CC BY 4.0. Charts, rankings and changes calculated by Husfarm.