Dried shelled beans market in Rwanda

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the dried shelled beans market in Rwanda stood at 487.6 thousand tonnes. This period saw foundational developments, including an increase in the share of loans to agriculture from 6% to 10% and the establishment of the Gabiro agribusiness hub in the Eastern Province, a large-scale joint venture project set to begin operations in 2019. However, the market volume declined to 467.8 thousand tonnes in 2019 and further to 444.6 thousand tonnes in 2020, despite reported growth in horticulture exports and continued government encouragement of private investment in agriculture.

The market recovered to 492.9 thousand tonnes in 2021 before contracting again to 451.9 thousand tonnes in 2022. By 2023, market volume rose to 480.0 thousand tonnes, supported by government investments in responsive institutions, inclusive markets, and extension services. This growth was further aided by active engagement of the private sector and youth in horticulture, including the establishment of postharvest training centers to improve crop handling and shelf life.

In 2024, the Rwandan government launched the National Strategic Transformation (NST2) plan for 2024-2029, targeting a 50% increase in bean harvest. Concurrently, the Rwanda Agriculture Board released new crop varieties, reflecting a focus on innovation and evidence-based policy, while ministerial messages emphasized the use of quality seeds and good agricultural practices to boost production and food self-sufficiency.

Production dried shelled beans in Rwanda

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Rwanda ranked as the 16th largest producer of dried shelled beans globally.

Top producers of dried shelled beans, 2017-2020

World map of production of dried shelled beans, 2017-2020

Rwanda's production of dried shelled beans declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 438.7 thousand tonnes, marking a 9.4% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 3.7%, with an average annual decline of 1.3%. The highest output was recorded in 2018 at 485.8 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 6.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of decline, Rwanda's dried shelled beans production saw an upturn. In 2020, the output was valued at 223.4 million US dollars, representing a significant 10.4% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, however, production value decreased by 8.4%, translating to an average annual drop of 2.9%. The lowest value occurred in 2019 at 202.3 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 9.6%.

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

Exports dried shelled beans from Rwanda

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited notable fluctuations during this period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2019, with a 4.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Rwanda exported 5 344 tonnes of dried shelled beans, a sharp 77.6% decrease from 2019. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 23 848 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 175.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Uganda dominated Rwanda's dried shelled beans exports, accounting for 85.7% of the total volume, while the remaining exports were distributed among a diverse group of smaller countries.

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

The market showed significant volatility over these years. Export values hit their lowest in 2020 and their highest in 2019, varying by 3.7 times. In 2020, Rwanda's dried shelled beans exports amounted to 2 721 thousand US dollars, a 72.7% drop from the previous year. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 9 962 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 149.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Uganda remained the primary buyer of dried shelled beans from Rwanda, representing 87.8% of total export value, with the rest spread across numerous other countries.

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

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

Imports dried shelled beans to Rwanda

Imports in kind, t

The market demonstrated volatility throughout the observed period. Import volumes reached their lowest in 2017 and peaked in 2020, showing a 2.3-fold variation. In 2020, Rwanda imported 11 252 tonnes of dried shelled beans, a 51.9% increase from 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 29.4%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 117.5%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Tanzania was the main supplier of dried shelled beans to Rwanda, holding 86.0% of total imports by volume, with other partners contributing relatively modest shares.

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

Volatility characterized the market during these years. Import values dropped to their minimum in 2017 and climbed to their maximum in 2018, with a 2.2-fold shift. In 2020, dried shelled beans deliveries to Rwanda were valued at 2 582 thousand US dollars, a 30.4% improvement from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 624 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 115.8%, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 24.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Tanzania played the leading role in Rwanda's imports by value, capturing 84.0% of total flows, with other markets collectively accounting 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