Rwanda has set an ambitious target of earning USD 1.5 billion annually from exports by 2028/2029, a significant rise from the more than USD 839 million generated in 2023/2024. Achieving this goal will require not only improvements in agricultural practices and increased production, but also efficient systems to deliver produce to both local and international markets.
One of the major concerns has been raised by Kinvest, one of the seven large-scale companies operating in the Gabiro Agribusiness Hub, which spans 5,600 hectares across the Rwimiyaga and Karangazi sectors. The company, co-founded five years ago by American entrepreneur Jesse Ratichek, has expressed worries over limited logistics capacity to move its produce to buyers.
Ratichek, who has lived in Rwanda for nearly nine years, began commercial fruit and vegetable farming three years ago. Today, the company cultivates about 500 hectares in the Gabiro Agribusiness Hub and an additional 70 hectares outside it.
Their crops include French beans, chili peppers, passion fruits, avocados, coffee, and others. However, the main concern remains how this product can reach markets efficiently and in good condition.
Speaking to IGIHE, Ratichek said: “By December 2025, we project to be harvesting between 450 and 550 tons of fruits and vegetables per month. While we have managed to overcome several challenges, the key issue remains the ability to deliver our products to the market on time.”
He further explained that such volumes need to be transported within three days of harvest to avoid spoilage.
“RwandAir informed me that its current capacity is around 500 tons per month. Yet my farm alone will be producing 500 tons monthly. Clearly, it is not possible for all my produce to be transported, since I cannot monopolize the available space. We have a strong partnership, but there is an urgent need to expand cargo capacity so that airlines can keep pace with the growing output from Rwandan farmers.”
Ratichek noted that if Rwanda is to significantly increase its export volumes, transportation capacity must grow in line with this ambition.
He explained that much of their produce is often transported using passenger flights, whereas in many other countries, agricultural exports are supported by dedicated cargo planes operating on a weekly basis.
“We also need cargo planes specifically dedicated to transporting our produce to markets in the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe,” Ratichek said. “This requires substantial investment which we, as private companies, cannot afford on our own. However, we trust that the Government will make this investment.”
So far, Kinvest has invested more than USD 10 million. Ratichek emphasized that within five years, they aim to have invested between USD 30 million and USD 50 million in agriculture.
“I want to continue investing in Rwanda, but I need assurance that if I harvest 500 tons of fruits and vegetables in October 2025 and later inject another USD 20 million to increase production to around 3,000 tons per month, there will be sufficient market access,” he added.
Ratichek, who operates both a farming company and an export firm, currently employs between 700 and 900 people each month, depending on the agricultural season. He projects that by next year, his workforce will expand to 1,500 employees.
He further revealed that their produce has already begun reaching international markets in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and other European countries.
{{Rwanda plans to acquire another cargo aircraft}}
In 2022, RwandAir purchased its first cargo aircraft after years of preparation and planning.
The airline acquired a Boeing B737-800SF, with a payload capacity of at least 23 tons. The aircraft measures 39.5 meters in length, with a wingspan of 35.8 meters and a height of 12.6 meters.
Since the purchase, RwandAir has reaped significant benefits from cargo operations. In 2024 alone, the airline recorded a 33% increase in cargo volumes compared to the previous year. That year, RwandAir transported 6,113 tons of cargo, up from 4,595 tons in 2023, while in 2022, the figure stood at 3,774 tons, following 3,889 tons in 2021.
Reassuring Ratichek and other exporters, the Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Dr. Cyubahiro Mark Bagabe confirmed that the Government of Rwanda is now working to acquire an additional cargo aircraft.
“RwandAir is in the process of securing another cargo aircraft,” Dr. Bagabe explained.
“Since RwandAir is a state-owned airline, we are in regular discussions with them and we know this is already part of their plan. This is not speculation—it is a confirmed decision. To purchase such an aircraft, you must ensure sufficient cargo volumes, but now that the demand has been demonstrated, the acquisition will follow. RwandAir has several strategies in place to make this happen,” the minister added.
The Minister stressed that the concerns raised by agriculture investors are being taken seriously, particularly for exporters of fresh produce such as fruits and vegetables, where reliable cargo capacity offers a major advantage.
Beyond air transport, the Government is also strengthening agricultural value-chain infrastructure, including cold storage facilities, feeder roads, and other logistics systems, to ensure produce moves efficiently from farms to markets.
He highlighted ongoing efforts in developing large-scale farming hubs. For example, the 1,300-hectare site in Kayonza District and the 5,600-hectare Gabiro Agribusiness Hub in Eastern Province are expected to significantly boost production capacity.
“Roads are being constructed to ensure trucks transporting produce are not damaged in the process. We are also preparing the second phase of the Gabiro Agribusiness Hub, which will include cold storage facilities to preserve produce before it is delivered to the market,” Dr. Bagabe said.
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