Wheat and meslin market in Rwanda

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the wheat and meslin market in Rwanda showed considerable volatility, with its volume peaking at 214.3 thousand tons in 2018 before falling to 102.6 thousand tons in 2023. Domestic production rose steadily from 13.5 thousand tons to 16.7 thousand tons over this period, while imports, which made up the largest share of supply, fluctuated and then dropped sharply in 2023.

The increase in local output was underpinned by several strategic interventions. The approval of the PSTA 4 agricultural transformation plan in 2018, which highlighted wheat as a key crop, set the stage for improved productivity. Subsequent developments, including the establishment of the Gabiro agribusiness hub in 2019 and the launch of the $300 million CDAT project with World Bank funding in 2022, provided further impetus for sector modernization. In 2023, the opening of a new fertilizer blending plant with a 100 thousand ton annual capacity offered direct support for enhancing crop yields, coinciding with a notable annual production increase.

Imports remained the dominant determinant of total market size, declining from 200.8 thousand tons in 2018 to 85.9 thousand tons in 2023. Looking ahead, the Minister of Agriculture outlined clear priorities in 2024 to boost wheat production and market competitiveness, signaling sustained government focus on the sector.

Production wheat and meslin in Rwanda

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of wheat and meslin, 2017-2020

World map of production of wheat and meslin, 2017-2020

After rising for two consecutive years, wheat and meslin production in Rwanda experienced a decline. In 2020, Rwanda produced 12 811 tons of wheat and meslin, representing a significant 18.3% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually increased by 17.3%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 5.4%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 15 686 tons, while the most substantial year-over-year increase occurred in 2018 with a 23.3% rise.

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

Exports wheat and meslin from Rwanda

Exports in kind, K t

The export market showed considerable volatility throughout the period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2017, with a staggering 96-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, Rwanda's foreign wheat and meslin exports amounted to 0.2 thousand tons, marking an extraordinary 4,645.3% increase compared to 2019.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo was by far the primary destination for Rwanda's wheat and meslin exports, accounting for 99.3% of total export volumes.

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 export market in value terms displayed significant fluctuations during this period. Export values hit their lowest point in 2019 and reached their highest in 2017, with a remarkable 159-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Rwanda exported 133 thousand US dollars worth of wheat and meslin, representing a dramatic 7,823.2% increase from 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo maintained its position as the overwhelmingly dominant buyer of Rwandan wheat and meslin in value terms, accounting for 99.6% of total export revenues.

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

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

Imports wheat and meslin to Rwanda

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Rwanda imported 199.8 thousand tons of wheat and meslin, showing a 13.1% increase compared to 2019. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 176.6 thousand tons, while the highest was in 2018 at 200.8 thousand tons. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with a 12.1% drop.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Russia (68.6% of import volumes), Argentina (8.8%), and Germany (6.5%) were the principal sources for Rwanda's wheat and meslin imports, together accounting for 83.8% of total import 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, K $ US

Rwanda imported 59 896 thousand US dollars worth of wheat and meslin in 2020, marking a 13.7% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 2.2%, equivalent to a compound annual growth rate of 0.7%. The lowest import value was recorded in 2019 at 52 662 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 60 112 thousand US dollars. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019 with a 12.4% decrease.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, three key markets—Russia, Argentina, and Germany—remained central to Rwanda's wheat and meslin imports in value terms, collectively accounting for 82.2% of total import expenditures.

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

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