
African and Asian Leaders Call for Regional Rice Reserves and Supply Chain Investments
At the Global Rice Policy Dialogue 2026 in Addis Ababa, leaders from 18 African and Asian countries called for the creation of regional rice reserve systems, early-warning mechanisms, and value-chain investments. The move targets structural vulnerabilities, as Africa spends $6 billion to $9 billion annually importing 18 million tons of rice, while 80 percent of global trade relies on five exporting nations.
















