Tomato Triumph: Rwanda’s 15 Billion RWF Export Success in 2023-2024

The National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB) reports that annually, tomatoes are exported to foreign countries, earning about 15 billion RWF in 2023-2024.

Farmers are harvesting tomatoes in the fields, while others transport them to warehouses for packing by their buyers.

They report that their tomatoes have been saved from extinction due to the availability of reliable markets, as vehicles from both within and outside the country now transport their produce. This is said to have enabled the tomato farmer to generate substantial income from this crop.

Mr. Jean Bosco Mulindi, NAEB’s Emerging Commodities Division Manager, states that the export of tomatoes since 2016 has significantly increased the income of farmers and the country as a whole.

He encourages farmers to follow instructions from agricultural officials to enhance tomato farming, as large markets receive well-managed tomatoes that meet market demand.

Rwandan tomatoes were initially exported to foreign markets in the 2016-2017 fiscal year, with 2,450,000 kilos earning over $2 million US dollars.