Flour or powder of sago, roots or tubers market in Rwanda

Earlier Report Observations

The market for flour of sago, roots or tubers in Rwanda grew from 244.8 thousand tons in 2018 to 361.2 thousand tons in 2023. This initial expansion was supported by a government-backed renovation of the Kinazi cassava processing plant, which increased its daily capacity from 40 to 120 tons, boosting the supply of high-quality cassava flour for both the domestic market and regional export.

Production continued to rise, reaching 369.7 thousand tons in 2022. In that year, Rwanda approved a law permitting the use, commercialization, and export of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), including trials on cassava, laying the groundwork for potential future gains in crop yield and processed flour output.

Output saw a modest decline to 361.7 thousand tons in 2023, though total market volume increased as exports fell sharply. During the year, projects aimed at enhancing climate resilience and food security for over 100,000 cassava-farming households were launched, focusing on improving production stability and market access for the long term.

Production flour or powder of sago, roots or tubers in Rwanda

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Rwanda consistently ranked 7th globally in the production volume of flour or powder made from sago, roots, or tubers.

Top producers of flour or powder of sago, roots or tubers, 2017-2020

World map of production of flour or powder of sago, roots or tubers, 2017-2020

Rwanda's production of flour or powder from sago, roots, or tubers grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 344.0 K t, marking a solid 22.7% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 39.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 11.6%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 247.1 K t, which represented a minimal decline of 0.0% from the previous year.

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

Exports flour or powder of sago, roots or tubers from Rwanda

Exports in kind, t

Rwanda's exports of flour or powder from sago, roots, or tubers increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 43 092 t, showing a sharp year-over-year rise of 146.8%. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 16 187.6%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 446.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo was overwhelmingly the dominant buyer of Rwanda's flour or powder from sago, roots, or tubers, accounting for 95.5% of total exports in volume terms.

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 export value of flour or powder from sago, roots, or tubers rose for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export value totaled 8 145 K US dollars, reflecting a sudden uptick of 135.5% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 1 213%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 135.9%.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, Rwanda's export value of flour or powder from sago, roots, or tubers was strongly concentrated, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Italy together accounting for 91.8% of total flows, while other partners made up the remainder.

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

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

Imports flour or powder of sago, roots or tubers to Rwanda

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes of flour or powder from sago, roots, or tubers into Rwanda showed noticeable fluctuations during the period. The lowest point was in 2019 at 0.1 t, while the peak occurred in 2017, creating a 104-fold gap between these years. In 2020, imports totaled 1 t, up by 749.4% from 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 96.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Rwanda's imports of flour or powder from sago, roots, or tubers in volume terms were heavily concentrated, with Uganda and India together representing 99.7% 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

Import values of flour or powder from sago, roots, or tubers into Rwanda exhibited volatility over the observed period. The low point was in 2018 at 0.3 K US dollars, while the high was in 2017, resulting in a 10.4-fold difference. In 2020, imports reached 1 K US dollars, showing a steep 99.2% increase compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 90.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Uganda and India clearly dominated Rwanda's import value structure for flour or powder from sago, roots, or tubers, with other countries forming the residual share.

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

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