Market research

Potato market in Rwanda

Release date: Mar 27, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

The Rwandan potato market expanded from 936.6 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 973.5 thousand tonnes in 2019. This growth was supported by the government's Strategic Plan for Agricultural Transformation (PSTA 4) launched in 2018, which promoted land terracing and biological soil control to increase cultivated area. Additionally, horticulture exports, including potatoes, generated about RWF 27 billion in 2019, indicating growing external market interest.

In 2020, market volume dropped to 860.2 thousand tonnes due to unfavorable climatic conditions that reduced fruit and vegetable output. By 2021, production recovered to 938.5 thousand tonnes, coinciding with improved household food security—reaching 83% food-secure households by 2024—which likely bolstered domestic consumption.

After 2021, the market experienced a gradual decline, reaching 908.7 thousand tonnes in 2023. During this period, Rwanda set a target to meet 100% of local potato demand by 2029 through further terracing expansion and investments under the National Strategic Transformation Plan (NST2). Moreover, horticulture exports rose by 29% in 2023, reaching about $75 million, reflecting sustained export channel development.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Rwanda
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Rwanda in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in Rwanda in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Exports
1. 6.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Rwanda in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Rwanda by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Rwanda in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Rwanda by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Rwanda, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Rwanda by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Rwanda in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Rwanda by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Rwanda in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Rwanda by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Rwanda, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Rwanda by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Imports
1. 7.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Rwanda in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Rwanda by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Rwanda in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Rwanda by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Rwanda, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Rwanda by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Rwanda in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Rwanda by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Rwanda in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Rwanda by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Rwanda, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Rwanda by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production potato in Rwanda

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of potato, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of potato, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Rwanda's potato production saw growth for two consecutive years before declining. In 2019, production reached its peak at 973.4 thousand tonnes. However, in 2020, output fell to 858.5 thousand tonnes, marking a significant 11.8% decrease from the previous year. The most substantial annual increase occurred in 2018, when production rose by 8.3%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	8.3%	6.3%	(11.8%)	0.5%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports potato from Rwanda

Exports in kind, t

Potato exports from Rwanda have been declining for three straight years. In 2020, exports dropped to 314 tonnes, representing a sharp 64.2% decrease compared to 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 91.5%, which translates to an average annual decline of 56.1%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(37.9%)	(61.9%)	(64.2%)	(56.1%)

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, Uganda and Burundi together accounted for 94.9% of Rwanda's total potato exports by volume. The remaining exports were distributed across various other markets in smaller amounts.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

Rwanda's potato export revenues have decreased for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports were valued at 41 thousand US dollars, which is 78.6% lower than in 2019. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, export revenues plummeted by 99.1%, averaging an annual decline of 79.2%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(93.4%)	(36.6%)	(78.6%)	(79.2%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Uganda was the dominant buyer of Rwandan potatoes in value terms, capturing 91.7% of total export revenues.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports potato to Rwanda

Imports in kind, t

Potato import volumes into Rwanda showed considerable volatility during the observed period. The lowest point was in 2019, with imports at 977 tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2017, resulting in a 27-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, imports rebounded to 2 000 tonnes, reflecting a dramatic 104.8% increase compared to 2019. The most significant annual decline was recorded in 2019, when imports fell by 95.7%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(12.5%)	(95.7%)	104.8%	(57.5%)

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, Rwanda's potato imports by volume were highly concentrated, with Uganda alone supplying 95.5% of the total.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

Rwanda's potato import expenditures have declined for three consecutive years. In 2020, imports were valued at approximately 176 thousand US dollars, showing a 39.8% decrease from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import spending dropped by 95.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -64.0%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(5.5%)	(91.8%)	(39.8%)	(64.0%)

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Rwanda's potato imports in value terms were heavily focused on Uganda, which accounted for 96.8% of total import expenditures.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io