Beef and buffalo meat market in Rwanda

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, Rwanda's beef and buffalo meat production rose from 33 088 to 41 392 tonnes, a growth supported by the government's Agricultural Transformation Strategic Plan (PSTA 4) that directed investments into livestock infrastructure and encouraged private sector participation. This period also saw increased support for modernizing animal husbandry practices, which helped expand output.

Despite a dip in production to around 39 000 tonnes in 2021 and 2022, the market continued to see foundational investments with the development of new modern abattoirs and livestock market projects aimed at enhancing processing capacity. Concurrently, broader sector modernization efforts, including the adoption of artificial insemination in pig farming and initiatives to convert agricultural waste into animal feed, progressed, setting the stage for future efficiency gains.

By 2023, production recovered to 39 227 tonnes, aligning with Rwanda reaching 91% of its national meat production target. The following year introduced new regulations requiring restaurants to indicate the origin of meat, improving traceability, while a commercial competitiveness project for the meat value chain was launched to strengthen regional trade, reflecting an ongoing focus on quality and market integration.

Production beef and buffalo meat in Rwanda

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of beef and buffalo meat, 2017-2020

World map of production of beef and buffalo meat, 2017-2020

Rwanda's beef and buffalo meat production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 41 392 tonnes, marking a 15.5% year-on-year increase. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 39.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 11.7%.

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

Exports beef and buffalo meat from Rwanda

Exports in kind, t

Rwanda's beef and buffalo meat exports have fallen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 27.9 tonnes, showing a sharp decline of 74.6% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2020, exports dropped by 80%, corresponding to an average annual decrease of 41.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam was the primary buyer of Rwanda's beef and buffalo meat, accounting for 70.8% of total exports in volume. Other trading partners held relatively smaller shares.

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

Rwanda's beef and buffalo meat exports in value terms have declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 141.7 thousand US dollars, representing a steep 74.3% drop from the year before. Between 2018 and 2020, exports fell by 79.7%, which translates to an average annual decline of 41.2%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Vietnam dominated as the main destination for Rwanda's beef and buffalo meat exports in value, making up 71.2% of the total. The remainder was spread across several smaller markets.

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

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

Imports beef and buffalo meat to Rwanda

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes of beef and buffalo meat into Rwanda showed significant fluctuations over the period. The lowest point was in 2019 at 12.7 tonnes, with the largest decline of 39.1% occurring that year. In 2020, imports rose to 26.1 tonnes, a sharp increase of 105.7% from 2019. The peak was in 2017, with a 2.2-fold difference between the highest and lowest years.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kenya was the central partner for Rwanda's beef and buffalo meat imports in volume, holding a 71.8% share of total flows. Other markets played a less significant role.

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 decline, Rwanda's beef and buffalo meat imports in value terms increased in 2020. Imports reached 121.8 thousand US dollars, a notable 53.8% year-on-year gain. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 79.2 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 52.9% that year. Overall, between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 37.5%, averaging an annual drop of 14.5%.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, the partner structure for Rwanda's beef and buffalo meat imports in value was heavily concentrated, with Kenya and South Africa together accounting for 99.0% of total flows.

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

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