Meat prices in Rwanda are expected to decline as livestock recover from outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease and vaccination efforts begin to restore the supply of animals for slaughter, the Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Dr. Telesphore Ndabamenye, has said.
The disease, which affected cattle, goats and sheep, disrupted livestock production and reduced the supply of meat on the local market, contributing to a sharp increase in prices.
Data from the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) shows that meat prices rose by 17.8 percent in July 2026 compared with the previous month, while prices were 33.8 percent higher than in July 2025.
Traders say the price of a kilogram of raw meat has increased from around Rwf7,000 to between Rwf12,000 and Rwf13,000, putting additional pressure on consumers.
Minister Ndabamenye said the vaccination campaign launched to contain foot-and-mouth disease is already showing positive results and should help restore meat supplies.
“As the livestock gradually return to normal health and meat becomes available in larger quantities on the market, prices are expected to come down,” Ndabamenye said.
The government has been implementing measures to control the spread of the disease, including vaccination of livestock in affected areas.
Authorities expect the measures to help stabilize the livestock sector and restore normal market supplies.
Beyond cattle, the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI) plans to increase production of poultry and other meat-producing livestock as part of efforts to diversify Rwanda’s meat supply.
The strategy is intended to reduce pressure on beef supplies while ensuring that consumers have access to sufficient quantities of meat at more affordable prices.
The expected decline in prices will, however, depend on how quickly livestock numbers recover, disease-control measures take effect and the supply of animals for slaughter returns to normal levels.
For consumers and meat traders, the government’s measures could provide relief after weeks of rising prices driven by shortages linked to the livestock disease outbreak.
