Rwanda’s tomato exports surge fivefold, earning over Rwf 20bn in foreign exchange

By Elias Hakizimana.

Rwanda’s tomato exports have grown more than fivefold in seven years, generating over Rwf 20 billion in foreign exchange in the 2023/2024 financial year, according to the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB).

In a statement issued on February 9, NAEB said the earnings were generated from both fresh tomatoes and value-added tomato products exported to regional and international markets.

Data from the export agency show that tomato export revenues rose from about Rwf 4 billion in the 2016/2017 financial year to more than Rwf 20 billion in 2023/2024, reflecting rapid growth in the crop’s value chain.

NAEB attributed the growth to targeted investments in production, quality improvement and market access, noting that it has intensified farmer training to sustain the momentum.

“Through the KWIHAZA Project, NAEB is training farmers across the country to increase productivity, improve quality and reduce post-harvest losses in tomato production,” the agency said.

The interventions include improved greenhouse production systems and modern open-field farming techniques, aimed at meeting export market standards.

NAEB also reported that tomatoes produced in Rwanda’s Eastern Province are showing strong yield potential, positioning the region as a key driver of future export growth.

Rwanda began exporting tomatoes in the 2016/2017 financial year, with an initial shipment of about 2.45 million kilograms, marking the start of what has since become a fast-growing export commodity.