Maize bran, sharps and residues market in Rwanda

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for maize bran and residues in Rwanda showed variability from 2018 to 2023, primarily shaped by developments in maize production. The government's Crop Intensification Program, which encouraged expanded maize cultivation, established a steady supply of bran as a milling by-product. However, persistent yield gaps among smallholder farmers, due to sub-optimal practices, contributed to a market contraction to 19 803 t in 2019. Focused efforts on improving agricultural techniques, including better fertilizer application, then supported a recovery to 23 188 t by 2020.

Subsequent growth to 25 309 t in 2022 was driven by the wider adoption of conservation agriculture practices, such as minimum tillage and crop residue retention. These methods enhanced maize yield and profitability in Eastern Rwanda, directly increasing the volume of bran and residues available from milling. The promotion of balanced nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization and optimized irrigation scheduling during this period further supported maize crop health and bran output.

The market volume receded to 22 331 t in 2023, aligning with typical fluctuations in agricultural commodity supply chains.

Production maize bran, sharps and residues in Rwanda

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of maize bran, sharps and residues, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize bran, sharps and residues, 2017-2020

In 2020, Rwanda produced 23,750 tons of maize bran, sharps, and residues, marking a 15.0% increase from the previous year. Production grew by 14.4% between 2017 and 2020, averaging an annualized rate of 4.6%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 20,650 tons, which also saw the largest decline of 10.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the output of maize bran, sharps, and residues in Rwanda was valued at 2,307 thousand US dollars, representing a 25.2% rise compared to the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1,843 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 2,855 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 35.4%.

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

Exports maize bran, sharps and residues from Rwanda

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited significant volatility during this period. Export volumes reached their peak in 2017 and fell to their lowest point in 2018, with a 6.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Rwanda's exports of maize bran, sharps, and residues totaled 665 tons, showing a sharp decline of 50.2% compared to 2019. The minimum volume was recorded in 2018 at 594 tons, which also experienced the largest decline of 83.6%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 124.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Rwanda's exports of maize bran, sharps, and residues were highly concentrated, with Kenya accounting for 94.4% of the total flows.

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 an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Exports peaked in 2017 and reached their lowest point in 2020, with a 6.3-fold variation between these years. In 2020, Rwanda's exports of maize bran, sharps, and residues were valued at 64.6 thousand US dollars, indicating a dramatic contraction of 45.8% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 81.9%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a rise of 62.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kenya was the key partner for Rwanda's exports in value terms, accounting for 92.4% of the total flows.

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

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

Imports maize bran, sharps and residues to Rwanda

Imports in kind, t

The market was characterized by volatility during these years. Import volumes peaked in 2019 and fell to their lowest point in 2020, showing a 4.7-fold variation. In 2020, Rwanda imported 104 tons of maize bran, sharps, and residues, indicating a steep decline of 78.8% compared to the previous year. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 489 tons, which also saw the largest increase of 97.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Tanzania and Uganda together absorbed 99.6% of Rwanda's total imports of maize bran, sharps, and residues in kind, reflecting a high degree of concentration.

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

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Imports peaked in 2019 and reached their lowest point in 2017, with an 11.1-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Rwanda's imports of maize bran, sharps, and residues amounted to 33.1 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp fall of 78.5% year-over-year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 153.8 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 370.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Tanzania and Uganda accounted for the bulk of Rwanda's imports in value terms, jointly taking 99.8% of the total flows.

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

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