Bananas market in Rwanda

Earlier Report Observations

Banana production in Rwanda expanded consistently from 1.77 million tonnes in 2018 to 2.31 million tonnes in 2023. This growth was supported by increasing export opportunities, with the value of banana exports rising by 57.9% in 2019 compared to 2017. A significant surge in export prices, which reached $4.95 per kg in 2021, provided a strong incentive for farmers to raise output.

The expansion was further aided by ongoing agricultural support programs. The Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB), focusing on an estimated 1.4 million smallholder growers, promoted modern farming techniques and postharvest loss reduction training. Concurrent efforts to manage Xanthomonas wilt disease, a major production constraint, helped safeguard yields and sustain the market's upward trajectory.

Production bananas in Rwanda

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Rwanda ranked as the 16th largest banana producer in the world.

Top producers of bananas, 2017-2020

World map of production of bananas, 2017-2020

Banana production in Rwanda grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 2 032 thousand tonnes of bananas, marking a gradual increase of 9.9% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production rose by 16.9%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 5.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Rwanda in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Rwanda's banana output was valued at 1 945 million US dollars, showing a robust increase of 17.8% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 31.6%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 9.6%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 6.5%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 19.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Rwanda in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports bananas from Rwanda

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Rwanda's banana exports declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 129.1 tonnes, representing a steep drop of 26.9% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 20.7%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 6.5%. The highest export volume was in 2019 at 176.7 tonnes, with the largest increase occurring in 2018 at 30.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Rwanda in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium was the primary and nearly exclusive market for Rwanda's banana exports in volume terms, accounting for 92.4% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Rwanda in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Following two years of growth, Rwanda's banana exports in value terms declined. In 2020, exports reached 123.6 thousand US dollars, reflecting a decrease of 21.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 35.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.8%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 157.9 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 53.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Rwanda in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Belgium remained the key destination for Rwanda's banana exports in value terms, accounting for 89.1% of total exports, while other markets played a much smaller role.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Rwanda in value, 2017-2020

Imports bananas to Rwanda

Imports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2019, with a 3.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, banana imports into Rwanda were recorded at 25.5 tonnes, amounting to a steep decline of 73.1% from 2019. The maximum import volume was in 2019 at 94.8 tonnes, and the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 46.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Rwanda in kind, 2017-2020, t

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Uganda and Tanzania formed the core markets for Rwanda's banana imports in volume terms, together accounting for 99.4% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Rwanda in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, Rwanda's banana imports in value terms declined. In 2020, imports totaled 5.1 thousand US dollars, amounting to a steep loss of 68.6% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 57.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -24.9%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 16.1 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 31.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Rwanda in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Tanzania and Uganda remained the key partner countries for Rwanda's banana imports in value terms, with a combined share of 98.8% of total flows; other partners accounted for the remainder.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Rwanda in value, 2017-2020