Rising Meat Prices in Rwanda: A Growing Concern for Consumers and Vendors
Meat prices across Rwanda have been on a steady upward trajectory, creating financial pressure for both consumers and vendors. From beef to fish and poultry, the cost of meat has surged, driven by a combination of factors including rising fuel prices, shortages of animal feed, and reduced supply. This trend is having a noticeable impact on the market dynamics, with vendors reporting lower sales and higher operational costs.
Market Observations and Price Increases
Jacqueline Umunyana, a vendor at Nyarugenge Market who sells chicken and fish, has observed a consistent rise in meat prices over recent months. “Local chicken now goes for Rwf6,500 per kilogramme, up from Rwf5,500 in November last year,” she explains. “As for fish, the larger varieties that used to sell at Rwf4,500 now cost Rwf6,000, while smaller ones have reached Rwf5,500.” Umunyana notes a decline in sales, as customers are becoming more cautious about their purchases.
Emmanuel Kagaba, a seasoned meat trader with over a decade of experience, highlights a significant shift in the market. “Last year, we would buy one to 2 kilogrammes of fish for Rwf3,500 to Rwf3,800. Now we are forced to sell at Rwf4,500 or more,” he says. He recalls that previously, he could stock 50 to 60 kgs of meat and clear it within two to three days. That’s changed, with current stock levels around 15 kilos, which take longer to sell.
Kagaba emphasizes that vendors are not the main drivers of the price hikes, pointing instead to the challenges faced by meat producers. “Farmers are under pressure,” he says, explaining that fish farmers, in particular, are dealing with rising expenses such as gas for heating systems, increased transport costs, and pricier animal feed. These costs are passed on to retailers, forcing them to increase prices to cover rent, electricity, water, and other operational expenses.
Impact on Retailers and Consumers
At Nyabugogo Market in Nyarugenge District, butcher Pacifique Nizeyimana shares similar concerns. “We sell bony beef at Rwf6,000 per kilo, boneless at Rwf7,500, and tenderloin at Rwf9,000. Goat and sheep meat are now Rwf8,000 per kilo because supply is tight,” he says. Nizeyimana notes that the supply chain has been disrupted, with fewer animals being slaughtered and sold each day.
David Musabyimana, another experienced vendor at Nyarugenge Market, attributes part of the price rise to seasonal demand. “Bony beef is up by Rwf500 compared to last year, now selling at Rwf6,000. Boneless beef is Rwf8,000, and stomach meat, which used to be Rwf2,500, has gone up to Rwf3,000,” he adds. The price of exotic chicken remains volatile, averaging around Rwf3,500 per kilo. “Last year, local chicken sold for Rwf5,000 to Rwf5,500. Today, it's at Rwf6,500.”
Challenges Faced by Farmers
Themistocles Munyangeyo, a fish farmer in Kimironko Sector, links the price increases to rising living costs and fuel prices, which have impacted transport and the cost of imported animal feed ingredients. “Ingredients like soybeans, silverfish, and maize are also staple foods for people, so demand is always high. That pushes up prices further,” he says. Munyangeyo notes that the cost of fish feed has risen from Rwf1,250 to Rwf1,400 per kg, and monthly rent has increased from Rwf500,000 to Rwf850,000.
Cedric Munezero, a poultry farmer in Rubona Sector, raises exotic chickens and notes that despite retail price hikes, farmers are still under strain due to high feed costs. “The feed for the Ros-301 breed is Rwf800 per kilo. The farm gate price of chicken is Rwf2,800 per kilo, down from Rwf4,500 in July last year,” he explains. Munezero believes that while chicken is more affordable for consumers, there is a need to educate people about its health benefits.
Government Initiatives and Future Outlook
Rwanda has set ambitious goals to boost annual meat production by nearly 20 per cent under the fifth Strategic Plan for Agriculture Transformation (PSTA5), aiming to increase output from 207,097 tonnes in 2023/24 to 247,223 tonnes by 2028/29. The strategy focuses on enhancing small stock through breeding centers and artificial insemination, particularly for pigs. It also prioritizes increasing the domestic production of maize and soybeans to lower animal feed costs, aiming to improve livestock productivity and support national food security and economic growth.
According to the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB), the highest meat-producing species in Rwanda is beef (cows), accounting for 35 per cent of total production. Poultry follows with 22 per cent, goat with 19 per cent, and pork with 14 per cent. Sheep and rabbit are the least produced, accounting for 5 per cent each.
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