Rwanda to enhance pig farming to meet rising pork demand

RWANDA – The Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Board (RAB) is actively working to improve pig farming productivity across the country in response to the increasing demand for pork.

Claire Hirwa d’Andre, a Senior Monogastric Researcher at RAB, stated that the Rwandan government aims to raise pig production from 22,839 tonnes in 2023 to 31,144 tonnes by 2029, an increase of approximately 36 percent.

Hirwa noted a significant shift in farming practices, with many farmers opting for improved pig breeds following the widespread implementation of artificial insemination. 

Currently, around 65 percent of pig farmers in Rwanda have integrated this technology into their operations. 

The initiative to enhance pork production was launched in 2021, at which time traditional pig breeds were predominantly in use.

Data from RAB indicates that pig imports rose from 7,706 in 2021 to 10,941 in 2022, before declining to 8,729 pigs in 2023.

By 2029, RAB aims to modernize 85 percent of the country’s pig farming sector, a significant increase from just 20 percent in 2021. 

Rwanda’s pig population, recorded at 1.4 million in 2018, has decreased to approximately 1.2 million in 2024, reflecting the transition from traditional to modern farming methods.

In May of this year, Rwanda inaugurated state-of-the-art pig abattoirs throughout the country. 

Each facility is equipped to process up to 50 pigs daily, ensuring compliance with strict hygiene and quality control standards. 

By employing advanced technology and rigorous protocols, Rwanda aims to produce high-quality meat products for both local and international markets.

The pig sector in Rwanda has experienced significant growth over the past decade, fueled by increasing domestic and export demand. 

In 2019, the country’s pork production was estimated at 23,000 tonnes, with a goal of reaching 68,000 tonnes by 2024.

Additionally, the national pig herd has almost doubled, rising from 684,708 in 2010 to an estimated 1,498,721 in 2022.

Rwanda’s investment in modern abattoirs is not only focused on satisfying domestic requirements but also on boosting meat exports. 

The National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB) reported a considerable rise in meat exports, amounting to US$22.3 million in the 2022/23 period.

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