Market research

Sweet potatoe market in Rwanda, 2026

Release date: Mar 27, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

The sweet potato market in Rwanda grew from 1 188 thousand tons in 2018 to 1 373 thousand tons in 2022. This expansion was primarily driven by the launch of the fourth Strategic Plan for Agricultural Transformation (PSTA 4) in 2018, which prioritized investments to increase agricultural productivity and doubled emergency food storage capacity. The 2019 initiation of the large-scale Gabiro agribusiness hub project further supported this trend by developing extensive cultivation areas for crops including sweet potatoes.

Market growth slowed in 2020 as fruit and vegetable production in season A declined, reflecting broader agricultural challenges. However, continued PSTA 4 implementation focusing on climate resilience helped sustain a modest increase. The upward trajectory persisted through 2022, reinforced by sustained policy support and earlier infrastructure investments.

In 2023, the market volume contracted to 1 313 thousand tons. During this period, the Rwanda Agriculture Board introduced new disease-resistant Irish potato varieties, highlighting ongoing agricultural modernization efforts. The subsequent launch of PSTA 5 in 2024 aimed to further strengthen resilient agri-food systems with significant budget allocations and investment opportunities.

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. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Rwanda in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Rwanda by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Rwanda in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Rwanda by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Rwanda, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Rwanda by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Rwanda in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Rwanda by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Rwanda in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Rwanda by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Rwanda, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Rwanda by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Rwanda in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Rwanda by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Rwanda in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Rwanda by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Rwanda, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Rwanda by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Rwanda in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Rwanda by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Rwanda in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Rwanda by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Rwanda, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from 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 sweet potatoe in Rwanda

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Rwanda consistently ranked 12th globally in sweet potato production volume.

Top producers of sweet potatoe, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of sweet potatoe, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Sweet potato production in Rwanda grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 1 276 K t of sweet potatoes, marking a modest 2.2% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production rose by 18.2%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 5.7%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	10.0%	5.1%	2.2%	5.7%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports sweet potatoe from Rwanda

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports varied significantly, with a low in 2017 and a peak in 2018, resulting in a 36-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Rwanda's sweet potato exports totaled 1.0 t, representing a sharp decline of 88.3% compared to 2019. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 9.4 t, with the largest increase occurring that year at 3 537.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	3 537.5%	(9.3%)	(88.3%)	56.9%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium dominated Rwanda's sweet potato export structure in kind, accounting for 72.4% of total flows, while other destinations contributed relatively small shares.

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

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports in value terms saw a peak in 2018 and a trough in 2017, with a 179-fold amplitude between these years. In 2020, Rwanda's sweet potato export value was 1.4 K $ US, down by 91.2% year-on-year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 16.6 K $ US, with the largest increase that year reaching 17 772.2%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	17 772.2%	(5.6%)	(91.2%)	145.4%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Rwanda's sweet potato exports in value terms were primarily directed towards Belgium and the United Kingdom, which together accounted for 99.6% of total flows.

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 sweet potatoe to Rwanda

Imports in kind, t

Foreign sweet potato supplies to Rwanda declined for the second consecutive year. In 2019, imports stood at 22.3 t, down by 97.3% compared to 2018. Over the period from 2017 to 2019, imports decreased by 97.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -71.7%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(15.5%)	(97.3%)	n/a	-

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, sweet potato imports to Rwanda in kind were almost exclusively supplied by Uganda, which absorbed 94.6% of total imports.

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

Sweet potato deliveries to Rwanda fell for the second year in a row. In 2019, imports amounted to 2.5 K $ US, a 98.0% decrease from 2018. Between 2017 and 2019, imports dropped by 98.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -74.3%.

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