Tomato market in Rwanda

Earlier Report Observations

Tomato production in Rwanda stood at 107.7 thousand tonnes in 2018, with the market volume reaching 108.5 thousand tonnes. The fourth Strategic Plan for Agricultural Transformation (PSTA 4), spanning 2018-2024, identified land availability as a principal constraint on agricultural output, likely limiting more significant expansion. In 2019, production saw a marginal decrease to 105.8 thousand tonnes, a year that also marked the launch of the Gabiro agribusiness hub in Nyagatare—a large-scale project aimed at developing new farmland, which laid groundwork for future capacity. A sharp contraction followed in 2020, with output falling to 90.5 thousand tonnes, consistent with reported nationwide declines in fruit and vegetable production for that season.

After a partial recovery to 93.6 thousand tonnes in 2021, production declined again to 81.0 thousand tonnes in 2022. The market rebounded to 84.4 thousand tonnes in 2023, a growth supported by substantial government investment in agricultural infrastructure, extension services, and market innovations designed to strengthen the horticulture sector. Concurrently, Rwanda's horticulture export revenues rose by 29.1%, exceeding USD 75 million, reflecting stronger external demand for fresh produce including tomatoes.

Production tomato in Rwanda

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of tomato, 2017-2020

World map of production of tomato, 2017-2020

Rwanda's tomato production has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 90.5 thousand tonnes of tomatoes, marking a significant 14.4% drop from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production decreased by 7.1%, which translates to an average annual decline of 2.4%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 107.7 thousand tonnes, when output increased by 10.5%.

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

Exports tomato from Rwanda

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed considerable volatility during the observed period. Export volumes hit their lowest point in 2019 at just 0.2 tonnes, before surging to a peak of 518.3 tonnes in 2020. This represents an extraordinary increase of 259 040.0% compared to the previous year. The difference between the highest and lowest volumes was a staggering 2 591-fold. The sharpest decline occurred in 2019, when exports fell by 98.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Rwanda's tomato exports were overwhelmingly concentrated in a single market. The Democratic Republic of the Congo accounted for 97.1% of all export volumes during this period.

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 data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Export values reached their lowest level in 2019 at 0.1 thousand US dollars, before climbing sharply to 67.3 thousand US dollars in 2020. This represents a dramatic increase of 55 172.3% compared to the previous year. The gap between the highest and lowest values was 553-fold. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, when export values dropped by 93.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Rwanda's tomato exports in value terms were almost exclusively directed to a single destination. The Democratic Republic of the Congo absorbed 96.3% of total export value during this timeframe.

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

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

Imports tomato to Rwanda

Imports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Import volumes reached their peak in 2018 at 824.8 tonnes, before falling to their lowest level in 2020 at 242.1 tonnes. This represents a 48.1% decrease compared to 2019. The difference between the highest and lowest volumes was 3.4-fold. The largest increase occurred in 2018, when imports grew by 176.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Uganda remained the dominant source for Rwanda's tomato imports in volume terms, accounting for 74.6% of total imports. The remaining share was distributed across various other markets.

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 market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Import values peaked in 2018 at 176.3 thousand US dollars, before declining to 61.7 thousand US dollars in 2020. This represents a 46.4% decrease compared to the previous year. The difference between the highest and lowest values was 2.9-fold. The most significant increase occurred in 2018, when import values rose by 162.1%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Uganda was the dominant market for Rwanda's tomato imports in value terms, capturing 71.4% of total import value. Other countries collectively accounted for the remaining share.

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

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