During fiscal year 2019/20, the African nation of Rwanda has exported 31,788 tons of horticulture commodities (vegetables, fruits and flowers). According to data from the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB)t This generated US$28.7 million (Rwf27 billion).
These revenues represent an increase of 5 per cent compared to $27.1 million generated from over 37,343 tons of horticulture exports in 2018/19.
NAEB CEO Claude Bizimana told The New Times that in terms of exports volume, formal exports accounted for 54 per cent while informal exports represented 46 per cent in 2019/2020. Considering the exports value, he said, the share formal exports took a share of 81 per cent.
Rwanda’s horticulture exports are dominated by onion, fresh beans, fresh peas, tomato, cabbage, carrots, cucumber, eggplants, French bean, pepper and mushrooms. DR Congo, United Kingdom, France, Netherlands, United Arab Emirates, Belgium and Vietnam are the major export markets for Rwanda’s horticulture products.
“Despite Covid-19, the prices for Rwandan horticulture products were quite good and manageable disruptions with regular flights (cargo) to our destination markets, government support to freight price,” he said.
Rwanda targets US$130 million from horticulture exports by 2024.
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