How Can West African Rice Compete in Urban Markets? A Demand Perspective for Policymakers

In West Africa, rice produced locally falls short of meeting the demand and preferences of urban consumers. We analyzed the challenges facing local rice in urban markets and identified policies that can be implemented to improve the competitiveness of the regional rice sector. We argue that without...

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Autores principales: Fiamohe, R., Demont, M., Saito, Kazuki, Roy-Macauley, Harold, Tollens, E.
Formato: Journal Article
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: Wiley 2018
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/102055
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author Fiamohe, R.
Demont, M.
Saito, Kazuki
Roy-Macauley, Harold
Tollens, E.
author_browse Demont, M.
Fiamohe, R.
Roy-Macauley, Harold
Saito, Kazuki
Tollens, E.
author_facet Fiamohe, R.
Demont, M.
Saito, Kazuki
Roy-Macauley, Harold
Tollens, E.
author_sort Fiamohe, R.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description In West Africa, rice produced locally falls short of meeting the demand and preferences of urban consumers. We analyzed the challenges facing local rice in urban markets and identified policies that can be implemented to improve the competitiveness of the regional rice sector. We argue that without addressing the demand side of the value chain, efforts on the supply side might fall short in reducing import dependency. Evidence suggests that while imported rice has easy access to urban markets, local rice faces more challenges in reaching urban consumers. The low market share of local rice in urban markets is in part due to consumers' dislike of local rice as it is perceived as being of inferior quality relative to imported rice. Local rice also tends to fetch lower prices. The experimental studies reviewed suggest, however, that urban consumers are willing to pay price premiums for local rice if its quality is upgraded. We propose a two‐stage policy sequence: (i) encouraging investment in quality upgrading; (ii) gradually increasing the Common External Tariff (CET) from 10 to 35 per cent to increase cost‐competitiveness of West African rice relative to imported rice. To stabilise and finance the sector, we further advocate the establishment of a flat‐rate levy on the value of rice imports.
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spelling CGSpace1020552024-04-25T06:00:15Z How Can West African Rice Compete in Urban Markets? A Demand Perspective for Policymakers Fiamohe, R. Demont, M. Saito, Kazuki Roy-Macauley, Harold Tollens, E. markets west africa consumers value chain rice imports In West Africa, rice produced locally falls short of meeting the demand and preferences of urban consumers. We analyzed the challenges facing local rice in urban markets and identified policies that can be implemented to improve the competitiveness of the regional rice sector. We argue that without addressing the demand side of the value chain, efforts on the supply side might fall short in reducing import dependency. Evidence suggests that while imported rice has easy access to urban markets, local rice faces more challenges in reaching urban consumers. The low market share of local rice in urban markets is in part due to consumers' dislike of local rice as it is perceived as being of inferior quality relative to imported rice. Local rice also tends to fetch lower prices. The experimental studies reviewed suggest, however, that urban consumers are willing to pay price premiums for local rice if its quality is upgraded. We propose a two‐stage policy sequence: (i) encouraging investment in quality upgrading; (ii) gradually increasing the Common External Tariff (CET) from 10 to 35 per cent to increase cost‐competitiveness of West African rice relative to imported rice. To stabilise and finance the sector, we further advocate the establishment of a flat‐rate levy on the value of rice imports. 2018-08 2019-07-02T14:57:02Z 2019-07-02T14:57:02Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/102055 en Limited Access Wiley Fiamohe, R., Demont, M., Saito, K., Roy‐Macauley, H., and Tollens, E. 2018. How Can West African Rice Compete in Urban Markets? A Demand Perspective for Policymakers. EuroChoices 17(2): 51-57.
spellingShingle markets
west africa
consumers
value chain
rice
imports
Fiamohe, R.
Demont, M.
Saito, Kazuki
Roy-Macauley, Harold
Tollens, E.
How Can West African Rice Compete in Urban Markets? A Demand Perspective for Policymakers
title How Can West African Rice Compete in Urban Markets? A Demand Perspective for Policymakers
title_full How Can West African Rice Compete in Urban Markets? A Demand Perspective for Policymakers
title_fullStr How Can West African Rice Compete in Urban Markets? A Demand Perspective for Policymakers
title_full_unstemmed How Can West African Rice Compete in Urban Markets? A Demand Perspective for Policymakers
title_short How Can West African Rice Compete in Urban Markets? A Demand Perspective for Policymakers
title_sort how can west african rice compete in urban markets a demand perspective for policymakers
topic markets
west africa
consumers
value chain
rice
imports
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/102055
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