SA thinks rice is nice

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Danette Breitenbach

The BMi has released its 2013 annual quantification report on the rice market in South Africa, which shows a large volume growth in 2012. This abnormally large growth is attributed to the price increases for maize meal experienced during 2012. The demand for rice increased substantially as consumers switched their staple food from maize meal to rice. The market is expected to see some form of correction in 2013 with a decline in volumes is expected.

Due to the South African climate having limited rainfall, rice is not commercially produced in the country, but is rather imported from abroad. In 2012, significant changes in the market share of the main importing countries were noted. In particular, rice imports from China and India increased drastically, whereas Thailand's market share declined sharply.

The rice category incorporates most varieties of rice, including nutty brown, white, parboiled, precooked, jasmine, wild and basmati. Rice cakes are excluded from this report, but rice meal kits, defined as convenience rice products with an added flavourant, usually packaged in a separate sachet within the meal kit, are included in this report.