Frozen vegetables market in Rwanda

Earlier Report Observations

The frozen vegetables market in Rwanda expanded to 35 095 t in 2019, driven by the launch of the Strategic Plan for Agricultural Transformation (PSTA 4) in 2018, which prioritized vegetable and horticulture productivity through targeted investments. This growth was further supported by infrastructure projects like the Gabiro agribusiness hub and increased agricultural lending. However, in 2020, the market contracted to 31 952 t as fruit and vegetable production faced challenges, noted by the national statistics office.

Market volume recovered to 34 352 t in 2021, aided by a 50% expansion in irrigation since 2017 and the development of new horticultural segments such as baby corn and exotic fruits. In 2022, the market rose to 36 691 t, largely due to a surge in imports to meet domestic demand, while local production slightly declined. The following year, volume fell to 32 442 t, coinciding with the introduction of women-only markets and a focus on sustainable technologies like solar irrigation and hydroponics.

In 2024, agricultural transformation efforts continued with the adoption of new wheat varieties to reduce import dependence, the Africa Food Systems Forum highlighting innovation, and €5 million in funding for food basket sites to enhance climate-smart agriculture.

Production frozen vegetables in Rwanda

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of frozen vegetables, 2017-2020

World map of production of frozen vegetables, 2017-2020

In 2019, Rwanda's production of frozen vegetables reached its highest level at 35 627 tons, marking a 12.2% increase. However, in 2020, production declined to 31 939 tons, representing a 10.4% drop compared to the previous year. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 31 761 tons.

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

Exports frozen vegetables from Rwanda

Exports in kind, t

The market for frozen vegetable exports from Rwanda showed significant volatility during this period. In 2019, exports peaked at 1 208 tons, reflecting a remarkable 568.1% increase. However, by 2020, exports plummeted to just 9 tons, a dramatic 99.2% decrease from the previous year. The difference between the high in 2019 and the low in 2020 was 133-fold.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo was the primary buyer of frozen vegetables from Rwanda, accounting for 73.8% of total exports by volume. The remaining exports went to a diverse group of other 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

Export values for frozen vegetables from Rwanda displayed considerable volatility over the observed period. In 2019, exports reached their maximum at 249.0 thousand US dollars, showing a 391.0% increase. By 2020, however, export values fell sharply to 8.1 thousand US dollars, a 96.8% decline from the previous year. The peak-to-trough amplitude from 2019 to 2020 was 31 times.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, the Democratic Republic of the Congo was the key market for Rwanda's frozen vegetable exports in value terms, representing 71.0% of the total. The rest of the exports were distributed among various 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 frozen vegetables to Rwanda

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes of frozen vegetables into Rwanda followed an unstable trend. In 2017, imports reached their highest point, but by 2020, they had fallen to their lowest level, showing a 35-fold difference between these years. Specifically, imports in 2020 totaled 22 tons, a dramatic 96.7% decrease from 2019. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 8.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo was the principal source of frozen vegetable imports to Rwanda, making up 83.8% of total imports by volume. Other countries contributed to a smaller portion of the imports.

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

Rwanda's imports of frozen vegetables in value terms declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 17.4 thousand US dollars, down by 76.2% from the prior year. Over the entire 2017–2020 period, imports decreased by 84.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -46.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the main sources of frozen vegetable imports to Rwanda in value terms were the Democratic Republic of the Congo (57.1%), Uganda (15.6%), and South Africa (13.3%). Together, these three countries accounted for 86.0% of total import flows.

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

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