Sugar cane market in Rwanda

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2022, Rwanda's sugar cane market volume grew consistently from 98.5 thousand tons to 114 thousand tons. This expansion was supported by the launch of the fourth Strategic Plan for Agricultural Transformation (PSTA 4), which prioritized investments in storage, drying, and cold chain infrastructure, alongside government backing for the Kabuye Sugar Works factory to reduce sugar imports. A significant boost came in 2021 when the government allocated 8 000 hectares for sugar cane cultivation under a $50 million investment, directly enlarging the production base and attracting new players.

Production fell to 102 thousand tons in 2023, interrupting the earlier growth trend. During this period, the Rwanda FDA introduced integrated online authorization requirements for food imports and exports, altering market access conditions. Concurrently, policy emphasis shifted toward agricultural innovation and evidence-based modernization, though these measures coincided with the short-term volume decrease.

Production sugar cane in Rwanda

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sugar cane, 2017-2020

World map of production of sugar cane, 2017-2020

Sugar cane production in Rwanda increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Rwanda produced 110.0 K t of sugar cane, marking an 8.3% gain from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 10.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.5%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 98.5 K t, which represented a decline of 0.6%.

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

Exports sugar cane from Rwanda

Exports in kind, kg

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 517-fold difference between these years. In 2020, sugar cane exports from Rwanda amounted to 780 kg, representing a year-over-year increase of 15 500.0%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 2 587 kg, which saw the largest increase of 51 640.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 99.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Rwanda in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom remained the dominant export destination for sugar cane in kind, accounting for 75.1% of total flows, while the remainder was fragmented across other markets.

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, $ US

The market exhibited volatility during these years. Export values dropped to their minimum in 2019 and climbed to their maximum in 2018, showing a 635-fold shift. In 2020, sugar cane exports from Rwanda amounted to 271 US$, up by 4 759.5% from 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 6 US$, while the highest was in 2018 at 3 545 US$. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 99.8%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom was the main buyer of sugar cane from Rwanda in value terms, taking 88.5% of total exports, while other partners had relatively modest 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 sugar cane to Rwanda

Imports in kind, kg

In 2020, Rwanda's imported sugar cane volumes stood at 100 kg, showing little change from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 33.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 12.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Rwanda in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of imports in kind was highly concentrated, with China and the United Arab Emirates jointly accounting for 100.0% of total 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, $ US

In 2020, Rwanda's volume of sugar cane imports was 57 US$, remaining largely stable compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 27.7%, which translates to an annualized rate of 10.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, with 58.0% of total flows, and the United Arab Emirates, with 42.0%, were the two dominant sources for sugar cane imports to Rwanda in value terms, together forming 100.0% of total imports.

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

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