Milk market in Rwanda

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, Rwanda's milk market volume grew from 239.6 thousand tons to 254.9 thousand tons. This increase was supported by the rollout of major state initiatives, including the Rwanda Dairy Development Project (RDDP) that financed the renovation of 60 milk collection centers, and the fourth Strategic Plan for Agricultural Transformation (PSTA 4) which aimed to expand collection and storage infrastructure. The Girinka program simultaneously promoted crossbred cows to replace low-yield local cattle, directly raising milk productivity and supply.

After reaching a peak in 2020, the market volume contracted over the next two years, falling to 234.7 thousand tons in 2022, before a partial recovery to 239.3 thousand tons in 2023. Throughout this period, the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda continued its agricultural surveys to inform sector policy, and government backing for dairy development remained a constant under the national agricultural framework.

The sector marked a significant milestone in 2024 with Inyange Industries opening the country's first powdered milk plant, capable of processing 650,000 liters per day to add value to local output. The same year saw the launch of the fifth Strategic Plan for Agricultural Transformation (PSTA 5), and reported national milk production surpassed one billion liters, tripling since 2010.

Production milk in Rwanda

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of milk, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk, 2017-2020

Rwanda's milk production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 253.7 thousand tonnes of milk, representing a modest 2.5% rise compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, overall production grew by 6%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 1.9%.

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

Exports milk from Rwanda

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited significant volatility during this period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2019 at 1 818 tonnes, then surged to a peak of 12 057 tonnes in 2018, marking a 6.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Rwanda's milk exports totaled 2 736 tonnes, a substantial 50.5% increase from 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 84.9%, while the most significant increase was in 2018, rising by 209.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Kenya were the primary markets for Rwanda's milk exports in kind. Uganda accounted for 51.3% of exports, followed by the Democratic Republic of the Congo at 22.6%, and Kenya at 15.5%. Together, these three countries represented 89.4% of total export 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

Rwanda's milk exports in value terms have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 3 000 thousand US dollars, showing a slight decrease of 0.6% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 19%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 6.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 5 863 thousand US dollars. The largest drop occurred in 2019, with a 48.5% decrease, while the biggest increase was in 2018, rising by 58.3%.

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, Uganda, and South Sudan were the main destinations for Rwanda's milk exports in value terms. The Democratic Republic of the Congo led with 61.4% of exports, followed by Uganda at 17.8%, and South Sudan at 10.3%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 89.5% of total export 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 milk to Rwanda

Imports in kind, t

Rwanda's milk imports in kind have decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 5 990 tonnes, down by 7.3% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports declined by 33.4%, which corresponds to an annualized reduction of 12.7%. The peak was in 2018 at 5 990 tonnes. The most significant decline happened in 2019, falling by 28.4%, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a 0.3% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Uganda, and Germany were the key sources for Rwanda's milk imports in kind. These three markets together accounted for 72.0% of total import 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

Rwanda's milk imports in value terms have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 11 224 thousand US dollars, reflecting a small uptick of 2.9% from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 10 415 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 7.2%, while the most significant increase was in 2019, rising by 4.7%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium were the primary sources for Rwanda's milk imports in value terms. Together, these three markets represented 71.8% 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