Rwanda is set to construct a state-of-the-art horticulture market at Masoro Industrial Zone, a flagship project expected to cost more than USD 53.4 million (over RWF 77.2 billion), national agricultural officials have announced.
Claude Bizimana, Chief Executive Officer of the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB), said land for the project has already been secured, with 99 percent of compensation payments to affected landowners completed.
“This modern market will transform Rwanda’s horticulture value chain by significantly improving storage, processing, and export capacity for fruits and vegetables,” Bizimana told journalists on Monday.
“It will reduce post-harvest losses and open up new opportunities for growers and exporters.”
A Boost for Farmers and Exporters
Exporters have welcomed the project, describing it as a game changer for smallholder farmers and the wider horticulture industry.
In an exclusive interview with Taarifa, Robert Rukundo, Chairperson of the Horticulture Exporters Association of Rwanda, said the market will bring together currently fragmented players under one roof, easing operations and improving efficiency across the value chain.
“The new market will bring the horticulture business under one roof, making aggregation and consolidation easier for farmers, wholesalers, distributors, and exporters of fruits, vegetables, and flowers,” Rukundo said. “As a result, market linkages will become more accessible and reliable.”
He noted that produce perishability—one of the biggest challenges facing smallholder farmers—will be addressed through modern logistics and cold-chain infrastructure.
“Volumes are expected to increase because farmers and aggregators will be able to deliver their produce without worrying about spoilage,” Rukundo said. “With conducive logistics infrastructure readily available, farmers can focus on production while the market handles storage, handling, and distribution.”
Transforming the Value Chain
The planned horticulture market is expected to benefit thousands of farmers nationwide by:
Increasing incomes through improved access to regional and global buyers;
Reducing post-harvest losses through modern cold storage and handling facilities;
Enhancing product quality to meet export standards; and
Strengthening supply chains for high-value crops such as avocados, French beans, chillies, and passion fruit.
Growing Export Performance
The investment comes as Rwanda’s horticulture export sector continues its rapid expansion.
In the 2023/2024 fiscal year, the country exported 97,165 tonnes of fruits and vegetables, generating approximately USD 75.1 million in export revenue. These exports accounted for nearly 9 percent of Rwanda’s total agricultural export earnings.
Vegetables dominated the sector, contributing over USD 42.3 million, while fruits generated about USD 30.6 million. Rwandan fresh produce—including avocados, French beans, chillies, and passion fruit—is exported to key international markets such as France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and the United Arab Emirates.
Global Demand and Strategic Positioning
Agricultural value chains remain central to Rwanda’s economic development strategy, with horticulture emerging as one of the fastest-growing subsectors. Officials attribute the steady growth to rising global demand for fresh produce and stronger market linkages driven by both government and private-sector initiatives.
“Expanding export capacity and improving infrastructure will not only benefit producers at home but also enhance Rwanda’s competitiveness in international markets,” Bizimana said.
Once completed, the new horticulture market is expected to position Rwanda firmly as a leading horticultural export hub in East Africa, particularly for high-value crops with strong demand on global markets.
By Andrew Shyaka
