Prime Minister Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva told Parliament on October 2, 2026 that changing weather conditions and a livestock disease outbreak had contributed to a decline in milk production, particularly over the past two months.
He said the outbreak had been brought under control, allowing livestock markets to reopen, while prices of livestock products such as meat had started to decline.
“We also expect milk to become available again because the rains have started,” Dr. Nsengiyumva said.
Milk shortages have been reported on the market for some time. In early September, an inspection of nine shops in Gishushu, Nyarutarama and Gisimenti found that only one had milk in stock. Inyange Industries had also attributed the decline in milk supplies to a prolonged dry spell that significantly reduced milk production.
Farmers in different parts of the country also reported that a lack of water and pasture had reduced milk production.
A farmer in Nyagatare said the amount of milk he sold each day had fallen from nearly 100 litres to less than 20 litres. Another farmer in Gicumbi said a cow that previously produced 10 litres of milk was producing about two litres.
Earlier last month, IGIHE visited Nyabugogo and found that the price of a carton of Inyange milk had reached Rwf19,000 in some places. Traders who were asked about the price said their purchase costs had increased.
One trader, who requested anonymity, said they normally sold a carton to customers for Rwf8,500, but prices had changed because of higher prices charged by their suppliers.
A survey of different markets in Kigali also found that Inyange milk was being sold at significantly higher prices in some ordinary shops, although it was still available at Rwf8,500 in some supermarkets.
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