Soybeans market in Rwanda

Earlier Report Observations

The soybean market volume in Rwanda expanded from 24,864 t in 2018 to 37,421 t in 2020, largely driven by rising imports. This period coincided with the launch of the PSTA 4 strategic agricultural plan, which aimed to increase productivity, but faced constraints from limited land availability as emphasized by the 2019 revised national land policy highlighting small farm sizes.

Market volume fluctuated thereafter, declining to 36,105 t in 2021 before reaching a peak of 45,874 t in 2022 and falling to 36,753 t in 2023. The allocation of a substantial budget for commercial agriculture in 2021 supported domestic production, while the 2023 amendment to labor regulations likely affected the agricultural workforce, contributing to the subsequent drop in production and market volume.

In 2024, factors such as the increased adoption of improved seeds and fertilizers, the publication of national plant variety lists including soybeans, and the hosting of the Africa Food Systems Forum underscored continued efforts to modernize the agricultural sector and strengthen production capabilities under the ongoing PSTA 4 framework.

Production soybeans in Rwanda

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of soybeans, 2017-2020

World map of production of soybeans, 2017-2020

Rwanda's soybean production reached its highest point in 2019 at 24 526 tonnes. However, in 2020, production declined to 23 755 tonnes, marking a 3.1% decrease from the previous year. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 22 809 tonnes. The most significant year-over-year increase occurred in 2019 with a 7.5% rise, while the largest decline was in 2018 with a 4.7% drop.

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

Exports soybeans from Rwanda

Exports in kind, t

Soybean export volumes from Rwanda showed considerable fluctuations during this period. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 437 tonnes, while the lowest was in 2019 at just 16 tonnes, representing a dramatic 27-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, exports recovered to 31 tonnes, which represents a substantial 94.0% increase compared to 2019. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with a 96.3% decrease, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 with a remarkable 578.7% growth.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo dominated Rwanda's soybean exports in volume terms, accounting for 88.1% of total shipments. The remaining 11.9% was distributed among various smaller trading partners.

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 value of Rwanda's soybean exports demonstrated notable volatility during the observed period. Export values peaked in 2018 at 25 thousand US dollars, then dropped to their lowest point in 2019 at just 2 thousand US dollars, creating a 10.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, export values rebounded significantly to 10 thousand US dollars, representing a dramatic 360.1% increase from 2019. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019 with a 90.8% decrease, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 with a 578.7% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Rwanda's soybean exports in value terms were concentrated primarily in two markets. The Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda together accounted for the majority of export value, while other destinations contributed smaller individual shares.

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

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

Imports soybeans to Rwanda

Imports in kind, t

Rwanda's soybean import volumes displayed an unstable pattern throughout this timeframe. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 2 492 tonnes, while imports peaked in 2020 at 13 698 tonnes, representing a 5.5-fold increase between these two years. In 2020, imports showed strong growth of 58.5% compared to the previous year. The most significant decline occurred in 2018 with a 61.6% decrease, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 with a substantial 246.8% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Tanzania, Malawi, and Uganda served as Rwanda's primary sources for soybean imports in volume terms. Tanzania accounted for 43.0% of imports, Malawi contributed 23.5%, and Uganda provided 19.8%. Together, these three countries represented 86.3% of Rwanda's total soybean imports by volume during this period.

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

The value of Rwanda's soybean imports exhibited considerable volatility during these years. Import values reached their lowest point in 2018 at 943 thousand US dollars, then surged to their peak in 2020 at 7 894 thousand US dollars, creating an 8.4-fold difference. In 2020, import values increased by 73.1% compared to the previous year. The most significant decline occurred in 2018 with a 70.5% decrease, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 with a remarkable 383.5% growth.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Tanzania, Malawi, and Uganda remained Rwanda's main suppliers of soybeans in value terms. Tanzania accounted for 51.5% of import value, Malawi contributed 22.5%, and Uganda provided 16.7%. Collectively, these three countries represented 90.8% of Rwanda's total soybean import value during this period.

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

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