Rice Production and Consumption in Kenya by County

Rice consumption in Kenya has increased over the years, becoming a staple alongside maize and wheat. 

In 2023, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) noted that Kenyans consumed 1.8 million tons of rice^[1].

Quick Facts

1. In 2023, total rice consumption in Kenya was 1,691,000 tons.
2. In 2023, Kenya imported 1,486,000 tons of rice.
3. In 2023, Kenya produced 229,000 tons of rice.
4. The total number of 90 Kg bags of rice produced in 2023 was 1,675,767.
5. The total land area for rice cultivation in Kenya was 31,671 hectares in 2023.
6. The total value of rice produced in Kenya was KSh 8.1 billion in 2023.
7. The average farm gate price per 50 kg bag of rice in 2023 was KSh 2,692.
8. The average wholesale price per 50kg bag of rice in 2023 was KSh 6,924.
9. In 2023, Kenya exported 1,372 tons of rice.
10. The average rice yield in Kenya was 53 90-kg bag per hectare in 2023.

The rice consumed in Kenya is mainly imported

In any given year, the total rice produced in Kenya is never enough to meet demand. As a result, we import most of the rice we eat.

In 2023, Kenyans consumed 1,691,000 tons of rice. However, only 229,000 tons were produced in Kenya.

The remaining rice required for consumption was imported, totalling 1,486,000 tons in 2023.

Kenyans are consuming more rice today than they did in the past

As the population increases, so does the demand for rice in Kenya. In the last 10 years, rice consumption in Kenya has almost tripled, increasing from 569,000 tons in 2010 to 1,691,000 tons in 2023.

In this same period, imports followed consumption and increased from 448,000 tons in 2010 to 1,486,000 tons.

Production volumes, on the other hand, increased from 86,000 tons to 229,000 tons.

Rice produced in Kenya mainly comes from Kirinyaga County

Rice in Kenya is mainly grown in Mwea, Kirinyaga County. In 2024, Kirinyaga County produced 180,809 tons of rice^[2].

It was followed by Kisumu County, which produced 63,008 tons of rice.

All the rice producers in Kenya include:

1. Kirinyaga 180,809 tons
2. Kisumu 62,002 tons
3. Tana River 10,394 tons
4. Busia 10,200 tons
5. Migori 8,964 tons
6. Taita Taveta 7,527 tons
7. Homa Bay 4,695 tons
8. Siaya 1,976 tons
9. Kwale 1,827 tons
10. Murang’a 714 tons
11. Bungoma 122 tons
12. Embu 100 tons
13. Garissa 62 tons
14. Kakamega 24 tons
15. Kilifi 16 tons
16. Meru 14 tons

Top rice producers in Kenya by area of cultivated land

Kirinyaga, the largest rice producer in Kenya, also has the most land under rice cultivation.

As of 2024, Kirinyaga County had 26,686 hectares of land under rice cultivation. This was double the 13,274 hectares of rice that Kisumu County had.

1. Kirinyaga 26,686 Ha
2. Kisumu 13,274 Ha
3. Tana River 3,921 Ha
4. Busia 1,821 Ha
5. Kwale 1,795 Ha
6. Migori 1,379 Ha
7. Homa Bay 1,243 Ha
8. Taita Taveta 1,115 Ha
9. Siaya 725 Ha
10. Murang’a 275 Ha
11. Bungoma 63 Ha
12. Embu 40 Ha
13. Kilifi 34 Ha
14. Kakamega 31 Ha
15. Garissa 30 Ha
16. Meru 16 Ha

See Also

1. Kenya Leads Avocado Production in Africa and the World
2. Avocado Production in Kenya by County
3. Maize Production in Kenya by County
4. Wheat Production in Kenya by County
5. Kenya Food Crop Statistics

References