Chicken meat and offal market in Rwanda

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for chicken meat and offal in Rwanda contracted significantly from 19 703 t in 2018 to 10 987 t in 2023, a decline of 44% over the period. While domestic production fell steadily, imports began to rise from 2020 onward, reaching 2 159 t in 2023, partially offsetting the drop in local output. Exports, which had increased in the early 2020s, fell sharply after 2022.

A key factor influencing consumption emerged in 2020 when the Rwanda Inspectorate and Consumer Protection Authority (RICA) advised against consuming fresh meat to avoid bacterial proliferation, likely reducing domestic demand. Concurrently, the government launched initiatives to modernize and expand the poultry sector, including a partnership with Belgium through the PRISM project to supply equipment for quality chick production and a target to triple poultry meat output from 30 000 t in 2016 to 100 000 t within five years. These efforts aimed to bolster the industry despite the challenging environment.

The sector saw increased structuring and international engagement, exemplified by the Poultry Africa 2022 conference in Kigali, which attracted new players into the supply chain for feed and processing. In 2024, Rwanda's fifth strategic agricultural plan introduced specific measures for the poultry value chain, focusing on traceability, quality standards, and infrastructure investment, reflecting ongoing policy support to revitalize production and meet local preferences through brands like Cooko by PEAL.

Production chicken meat and offal in Rwanda

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of chicken meat and offal, 2017-2020

World map of production of chicken meat and offal, 2017-2020

Rwanda's chicken meat and offal production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, production reached 16 517 tonnes, marking a 12.6% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 9.3%, with an average annual decline of 3.2%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 19 708 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 8.2%.

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

Exports chicken meat and offal from Rwanda

Exports in kind, t

The export market showed significant fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at just 0.5 tonnes, then surged to a peak of 153.3 tonnes in 2020, representing a staggering 307-fold increase. The 2020 volume was 30,550.2% higher than in 2019. The sharpest decline occurred in 2019, when exports dropped by 90.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Rwanda's chicken meat and offal exports were overwhelmingly concentrated in a single market. The Democratic Republic of the Congo accounted for 96.7% of all export volumes during this period.

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

Export values showed considerable volatility throughout the timeframe. The lowest point came in 2019 at just 0.1 thousand US dollars, followed by a dramatic peak in 2020 reaching 217.1 thousand US dollars - a 1,795-fold increase. The 2020 value represented an extraordinary 179,397.2% jump from the previous year. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, when export values fell by 89.1%.

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

During 2017-2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo dominated Rwanda's chicken meat and offal exports in value terms, capturing 99.5% of total export revenue.

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

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

Imports chicken meat and offal to Rwanda

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes experienced substantial fluctuations during this period. The lowest point was recorded in 2019 at 0.5 tonnes, followed by a peak of 182.8 tonnes in 2020 - a 368-fold difference. The 2020 volume represented a massive 36,676.8% increase compared to 2019. The most significant decline occurred in 2018, when imports dropped by 94.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Rwanda's chicken meat and offal imports were primarily sourced from three countries. The United States led with 44.2% of import volumes, followed by Kenya at 20.5%, and the United Arab Emirates at 15.2%. Together, these three markets accounted for 79.9% of total import 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

Import values showed marked volatility throughout the period. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 2.5 thousand US dollars, while the peak came in 2020 at 339.2 thousand US dollars - representing a 133-fold increase. The 2020 value was 10,869.9% higher than the previous year. The most substantial decline occurred in 2018, when import values fell by 95.8%.

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

During 2017-2020, Kenya was the leading source of Rwanda's chicken meat and offal imports in value terms, accounting for 45.9% of total import spending. The United States followed with 15.9%, and the United Arab Emirates with 15.4%. Collectively, these three countries represented 77.2% of Rwanda's import expenditure in this category.

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

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