Rice market in Rwanda

Earlier Report Observations

Rwanda's rice market volume reached 197.6 thousand tons in 2018, supported by a 7.2% economic growth rate and favorable rainy seasons that boosted agricultural output. The market then contracted to 185.7 thousand tons in 2019 as imports fell. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of digital financial services and contributed to a surge in imports, lifting the market volume to 244.0 thousand tons.

Following a slight decrease in 2021, the market expanded sharply to a peak of 292.3 thousand tons in 2022, driven by a significant rise in import volumes. In 2023, the government increased the import tariff on rice from 10% to 35% within the East African Community to protect domestic producers, causing imports to collapse to 35.6 thousand tons and pulling the overall market volume down to 169.1 thousand tons. This was accompanied by a reduction in the guaranteed price for local rice producers to adjust production incentives.

Production rice in Rwanda

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of rice, 2017-2020

Rwanda's rice production experienced a two-year upward trend before declining. In 2019, production reached its peak at 131.6 thousand tons, marking a significant 15.5% increase from the previous year. However, by 2020, production had fallen to 116.5 thousand tons, representing an 11.5% decrease compared to 2019. Over the entire period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 6.9%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Rwanda's rice production value saw a two-year increase before contracting. In 2018, the value recorded its largest rise at 8.7%. The peak was reached in 2019, with production valued at 73 051 thousand US dollars. By 2020, this had declined to 66 871 thousand US dollars, an 8.5% drop from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, overall production value increased by 7.6%, averaging a 2.5% annual growth rate.

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

Exports rice from Rwanda

Exports in kind, K t

Rwanda's rice export volume continued to grow for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 59.3 thousand tons, showing a modest 2.0% increase from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports rose by 8.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo was the primary and nearly exclusive market for Rwanda's rice exports in volume terms, accounting for 99.9% of total shipments.

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

In 2019, Rwanda's rice export value experienced a slight decline of 0.9%. However, by 2020, exports rebounded to 34 034 thousand US dollars, reflecting a moderate 5.4% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 9%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.9%.

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

During 2017-2020, Rwanda's rice export value was heavily concentrated on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which represented 99.9% 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 rice to Rwanda

Imports in kind, K t

Rwanda's rice import volume declined for two years before increasing. In 2018, imports fell by 22.3%, reaching a low of 112.3 thousand tons in 2019. By 2020, imports surged to 186.8 thousand tons, a substantial 66.3% rise from the previous year. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, import volume increased by 4.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Pakistan and Thailand together accounted for 80.5% of Rwanda's rice imports in volume terms, indicating a highly concentrated market with a diverse range of smaller suppliers.

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 rice import value showed volatility over the period. In 2019, it dropped by 22.0% to a low of 55 136 thousand US dollars. By 2020, imports had surged to 97 913 thousand US dollars, a 77.6% increase from the previous year. The difference between the peak in 2020 and the trough in 2019 was 1.8-fold.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Pakistan and Tanzania were the dominant suppliers of rice to Rwanda in value terms, collectively representing 80.9% of total imports, while other partners played a smaller role.

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

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