S.1 Key findings
• The domestic horticulture sector in Rwanda provides great opportunities for development since
domestic and regional consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables is increasing as the population will
urbanise.
• Export of fruits and vegetables can be further developed since some crops produced in Rwanda are
in high demand at the international market, but before gearing up the export some serious
challenges need to be overcome.
• Exporting flowers from Rwanda looks feasible considering the climate, but faces constraints in terms
of competitiveness from the current regional exporters of flowers.
• The Dutch horticulture supply industry can contribute to the further development of Rwanda’s
horticulture domestic and export sector. Moreover, sourcing of fresh fruits and vegetables for the EU
market may offer opportunities in the long run. There are also investment opportunities for
experienced flower exporters.
S.2 Approach
The study follows a Value Chain (VC) approach. For the purposes of this study the horticulture sector
is considered to consist of the subsectors fresh fruits, vegetables and floriculture (cut flowers).
The first step was a desk-study to review the inventory of recent studies on horticulture in Rwanda.
The key lessons learned and recommendations from these earlier studies provide the foundation for
the further development of this VC Analysis.
The second phase of the analysis consists of field work both in the Netherlands and Rwanda. In the
Netherlands various horticulture and floriculture value chain stakeholders with knowledge and
experience in Rwanda were interviewed (e.g. inputs suppliers, knowledge suppliers, logistic service
providers and import companies).
The study was commissioned and financed by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO). The report
could be used as an input by the Dutch Embassy in Rwanda for the design of the 2016-2020 food
security programme, as well as to identify possible government-supported programme aiming at the
promoting exports from Rwanda to the European Union (EU).