Africa-Press – Rwanda. Farmers in Northern Province are preparing to scale up production and take advantage of the Kigali Wholesale Market for Fresh Produce, a Rwf30 billion facility under construction in the Kigali Special Economic Zone.
Expected to reduce post-harvest losses which are currently estimated at 40%, the market will improve access by introducing services such as cleaning, grading, drying, cold storage, and quality control. These are crucial for preserving produce, especially for farmers in remote areas who lack access to transport and storage infrastructure.
“If our produce delays reaching the market, it rots. Currently, we have no facilities to store it,” said Yvonne Tuyishime, a vegetable farmer from Bushoki Sector, Rulindo District. “This market is coming at the right time.”
Annonciata Nyirantibibuka, from Muko Sector in Musanze District, echoed this concern, stressing the need for cold rooms:
“Our vegetables and fruits barely last two days. We need better storage so we can sell even a week after harvesting.”
Jean-Damascène Sinzabaheza, a visually impaired farmer from Shingiro Sector, Musanze District, said their cooperative of 500 members—470 of whom are people with disabilities—has significantly increased yields, particularly Irish potatoes.
However without proper storage, they are forced to sell to middlemen at low prices.
“We used to harvest 6 tonnes per hectare, now we get 22 tonnes. We need storage to match that growth,” he said. The cooperative has begun potato seed multiplication and acquired drying facilities for onions and garlic, increasing the value of their produce. Onion prices, for example, rose from Rwf150 to Rwf800 per kilogram.
Local leaders are urging farmers—especially women and youth—to form cooperatives and embrace improved farming inputs to take full advantage of the market.
“We need to increase both quality and quantity,” said Clarisse Uwanyirigira, Musanze’s Vice Mayor for Economic Development.
“Fertilisers, better seeds, and access to cold storage are essential,” added Northern Province Governor Maurice Mugabowagahunde.
According to the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR), in Season A of 2025, only 37.3% of farmers used improved seeds—35.9% of small-scale farmers and 85.4% of large-scale ones.
A game-changer for Rwanda’s fresh produce sector
Once complete, the Kigali Wholesale Market will handle up to 180,000 tonnes of fruits and vegetables annually and serve at least 100 wholesalers. The 10.8-hectare facility, funded by the European Union, will provide a clean, modern environment for transactions involving cooperatives, exporters, food processors, restaurants, and hotels.
“We’ve seen cold rooms made from volcanic rock that store produce for three weeks. Innovations like these must be scaled across the country,” said one official.
The market is part of a broader EU-supported push, including the Kungahara Food Security Initiative, which aims to support smallholder farmers—particularly women—in scaling up production, improving quality, and accessing stable markets.
“At least 65% of smallholder vegetable farmers should be women if we are to cut post-harvest losses,” said Emmanuel Kayitana, Executive Director of FXB Rwanda.
He cited Nyabihu District, where produce like carrots and onions often rots due to market access constraints.
“Farmers need formal contracts with the market, so their produce can be preserved and redistributed efficiently.”
The facility will also integrate digital platforms to give farmers real-time market data—helping them make smarter decisions on pricing and timing.
Christophe Ayabagabo of Kilimo Trust said the market’s sustainable practices, including energy-efficient cold rooms and waste management, will boost food security and strengthen the resilience of Rwanda’s agriculture sector.
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