Rwanda moves to tackle high feed prices with production, storage, and regulation initiatives

RWANDA – Rwanda’s government has outlined a comprehensive strategy to address rising animal feed prices and chronic supply shortages that are constraining growth in the livestock sector. 

Speaking before the Senate, Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources Telesphore Ndabamenye said the plan focuses on expanding distribution outlets, boosting raw material production, increasing storage capacity, and strengthening feed quality regulation to ease pressures on farmers and feed manufacturers.

Ndabamenye explained that feed costs remain high largely because local cereal production is limited and manufacturers have yet to establish sales outlets in all districts. 

“Livestock feed is costly because local production of cereals is limited and feed producers are not yet able to establish outlets across all districts,” he said. 

To address this, manufacturers are being encouraged to open outlets in underserved areas, improving access for livestock farmers across the country.

Strong demand meets limited supply

Rwanda’s feed sector remains underdeveloped relative to demand. 

Feed typically accounts for 60–70 % of total production costs for poultry and livestock producers, making access and affordability critical to farm profitability. 

Industry sources indicate that commercial mills, such as Gorilla Feed Factory with an installed capacity of around 200 tons per day (about 5,000 tons per month), often operate below capacity due to raw material shortages and high input prices. 

Rwanda’s domestic production of key feed ingredients such as maize and soybeans does not meet demand, with less than 20,000 hectares under soybean cultivation nationwide, and maize output remains insufficient to meet both human and livestock needs.

Agriculture contributes roughly 30 % of Rwanda’s GDP, with livestock accounting for about 3 %. 

Despite expanding livestock populations, domestic feed production cannot keep pace, forcing manufacturers to import a significant share of critical ingredients. 

As much as 30–35 % of feed raw materials are imported, exposing producers to international price volatility and foreign exchange risk. 

Feed prices have risen sharply in recent years; for example, pig feed reportedly climbed from around Rwf 270/kg in 2022 to approximately Rwf 600/kg in some regions, squeezing already tight profit margins for farmers.

To stabilise feed supply, the government plans to increase storage capacity by at least 100,000 metric tonnes over the next three years through investments in silos and warehouses. 

Expanded storage will enable manufacturers to hold strategic reserves, buy ingredients when prices are favourable, and reduce the need for last‑minute, high‑cost imports. 

The government is also promoting improved seed varieties and better use of fertilisers to increase maize and soybean yields. 

It is developing Food Basket Sites to support both food security and feed raw material availability.

Forage production is another focus area. Over 47,000 hectares are already under fodder cultivation, helping reduce dependence on purchased concentrate ingredients and improving access to locally grown feed inputs. 

To address quality issues, the Rwanda Inspectorate, Competition and Consumer Protection Authority (RICA) has taken the lead on feed regulation to improve compliance, identify illegal producers, and strengthen inspection systems by adding staff and improving laboratory capacity. 

Informal producers are being supported through the “Zamukana Ubuziranenge” programme, which helps them upgrade operations to meet regulatory standards.

Market outlook

Rwanda’s feed market outlook remains mixed but offers opportunities for transformation. 

Demand continues to outstrip supply as livestock numbers grow and urbanisation drives higher consumption of poultry, dairy and other animal‑sourced foods. 

With current production unable to fully meet domestic feed needs, the gap has created openings for investment in local mill capacity, raw material processing and distribution infrastructure. 

Strengthened coordination between the agriculture and feed sectors could reduce dependence on imports and stabilise feed prices over time.

If successfully implemented, these strategies could enhance farmers’ profitability, attract new investors to feed manufacturing, and support broader growth in Rwanda’s livestock sector, which remains a critical component of the national economy.

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