Dried shelled legumes market in Rwanda

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the implementation of the Strategic Plan for Agricultural Transformation (PSTA 4) and the revised national agricultural policy laid the groundwork for the dried shelled legumes sector. However, in 2019, the entry of new players into horticultural exports led to a significant increase in exported volumes, reducing the domestic market size to 983 thousand tonnes. A decrease in fruit and vegetable production further contracted the market to 911 thousand tonnes in 2020.

Investments in value chain modernization and a focus on productivity drove a sharp recovery in 2021, with the market expanding to 1 016 thousand tonnes. After a drop to 930 thousand tonnes in 2022, the market edged up to 955 thousand tonnes in 2023, supported by Rwanda's participation in international trade shows like Fruit Logistica to promote products and establish new partnerships, alongside government efforts to modernize agriculture.

Production dried shelled legumes in Rwanda

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Rwanda ranked 30th globally in the production of dried shelled legumes.

Top producers of dried shelled legumes, 2017-2020

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

Rwanda's production of dried shelled legumes declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 905.4 thousand tonnes, marking a 9.4% decrease from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 3.3%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.1%. The highest output was recorded in 2018 at 1 001.2 thousand tonnes, with the largest year-on-year increase of 6.9% also occurring that year.

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 production of dried shelled legumes in value terms saw an uptick. In 2020, the output was valued at 460.8 million US dollars, representing a 10.4% improvement over the previous year. However, from 2017 to 2020, overall production value decreased by 8.1%, averaging an annual decline of 2.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 417.5 million US dollars, which also saw the largest drop of 9.5%.

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

Exports dried shelled legumes from Rwanda

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the period. Export volumes peaked in 2019 at 23 849 tonnes and dropped to a low of 5 346 tonnes in 2020, representing a 4.5-fold variation. In 2020, the volume of dried shelled legumes leaving Rwanda fell by 77.6% compared to the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a surge of 175.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Uganda was the dominant destination for Rwanda's exports of dried shelled legumes in volume terms, accounting for 85.7% of total flows, while other countries held much 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

Volatility characterized the market during these years. Export values reached a maximum of 9 963 thousand US dollars in 2019 and fell to a minimum of 2 721 thousand US dollars in 2020, showing a 3.7-fold variation. In 2020, Rwanda's exports were valued at 2 721 thousand US dollars, a decline of 72.7% from the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, with a jump of 149.7%.

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

In the period from 2017 to 2020, Uganda remained the leading destination for Rwanda's exports in value terms, holding an 87.8% share of total flows, with the remainder fragmented across other 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 dried shelled legumes to Rwanda

Imports in kind, t

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Import volumes varied 2.3 times, with a low of 11 336 tonnes in 2017 and a high in 2020. In 2020, Rwanda imported 11 336 tonnes of dried shelled legumes, a 49.2% increase year-over-year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 30.8%, while the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 125.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Tanzania accounted for 84.3% of Rwanda's total imports of dried shelled legumes in volume terms, with the remaining flows distributed among multiple smaller partners.

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

The market exhibited volatility during this period. Import values varied 2.2 times, with a minimum in 2017 and a maximum of 2 722 thousand US dollars in 2018. In 2020, Rwanda imported dried shelled legumes worth 2 646 thousand US dollars, up 27.4% from the previous year. The largest decline was in 2019, dropping by 23.7%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 116.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Tanzania was the principal source for Rwanda's imports of dried shelled legumes in value terms, making up 81.7% of total imports, with other destinations contributing less significantly.

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

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