Rwanda to target 20% increase in meat production by 2029, government says

RWANDA – Rwanda plans to raise its annual meat production from 207,097 tonnes in the 2023/24 financial year to 247,223 tonnes by 2028/29, according to the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB).

This represents an increase of nearly 20 percent over five years under the country’s fifth strategic plan for agricultural transformation (PSTA5).

RAB Deputy Director General in charge of animal resources development, Solange Uwituze, said the country achieved 96.3 percent of its 2023/24 target of 215,058 tonnes despite facing challenges such as prolonged drought.

She explained that dry conditions affected water availability for livestock, impacting overall meat production, while the high cost of feed ingredients like maize and soybeans also limited output.

To reach the 2028/29 goal, the government is expanding breeding centers and artificial insemination programs, particularly for pigs, according to Uwituze.

Ensuring a steady supply of day-old chicks for poultry farmers is also a priority, she said.

Efforts to increase local maize and soybean production are expected to help stabilize feed costs, a key factor in improving livestock productivity.

Poultry and pork expected to dominate meat production

Currently, beef accounts for the largest share of Rwanda’s meat production at 35 percent, followed by poultry at 22 percent, goat meat at 19 percent, and pork at 14 percent, Uwituze said.

Sheep and rabbit meat contribute the least, making up 5 percent of total production.

Uwituze said beef is the most consumed meat due to cultural traditions that place a higher value on cattle.

Per capita meat consumption in Rwanda is 14.8 kilograms per year, significantly lower than the global average of 43 kilograms, she added.

While developed nations consume over 100 kilograms per person annually, many sub-Saharan African countries, including Rwanda, fall within the range of 10 to 15 kilograms.

She said future meat production will rely more on poultry and pork as land constraints limit large-scale cattle farming.

Expanding the pork and poultry industries

Jean Claude Shirimpumu, chairperson of the Rwanda Pig Farmers’ Association, said pig farming has grown due to improved breeding techniques such as artificial insemination.

Farmers can access swine semen for US$5 per dose, with the government subsidizing drone delivery services to remote areas.

Shirimpumu said increasing animal feed factories has also played a role in the expansion of pig farming.

To boost pork consumption, he said the association has been encouraging families to include it in household meals rather than limiting it to pubs.

He said ensuring proper meat handling and hygiene is a priority, with public and private slaughterhouses established nationwide.

Rwanda Poultry Industry Association Chairperson Andrew Butare said poultry production is expected to increase as chicken farming requires less space than cattle ranching.

He said one tonne of chicken meat can be produced in a 50-square-meter area within two months, whereas beef production requires much larger land areas.

Chicken is also a cheaper protein source, with a kilogram selling for US$2.70 to US$3.10, compared to beef at US$4.60 to US$5.40 per kilogram.

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