Rwanda’s horticulture sector is characterized by an ideal climate, fertile soil and an abundant, hardworking labor force.

The potential to develop a vibrant horticulture industry in Rwanda is undoubtedly on the move.

The country has a strong competitive base that hinges on its comparative advantages such as fertile soils, abundant water resource, and abundant labor force that are used to produce quality and competitive horticulture products sold on the regional and international markets.

There are several types of horticultural products grown in Rwanda which include:

• Vegetables: Tomatoes, green pepper, French beans, chilli pepper, carrots, hot paper, onions among others.
• Fruits: Avocados, mangoes, pineapples, passion fruit, bananas, and strawberry.
• Nuts: Macadamia and groundnuts.
• Spices: Parsley, Chilli, Lemongrass, Ginger, Garlic, processed pepper, Mixed spices, Celery among others.
• Flowers: Roses, Zantedeschia flowers, Agapanthus, Calla lilies, Tuberoses, Alstroemeria and Ornamental sunflowers.

Rwanda’s horticultural exports are mostly exported to regional and European markets.
This has become an important sector in the Rwandan economy and contributes about 50% of non-traditional exports to markets such as Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan, as well as global destinations such as the European Union and the United States.

The sector is bound to continue growing as the government continues operations under the plan for modernization of agriculture.

Processed horticulture/value-added horticulture exports have been increasing over the years.
These include pineapple juice, dried pineapple, mango juice, passion fruit juice, dried and canned vegetables, and pastes like tomato and strawberry jams.