Cheese makers have been urged to be consistent in producing quality and well branded products that comply with international standards as a sure way of expanding their market.
Cheese makers have been urged to be consistent in producing quality and well branded products that comply with international standards as a sure way of expanding their market.
Amb. George William Kayonga, the chief executive of National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB), told cheese makers during the third edition of the Annual Cheese Expo that began Thursday at Kigali City Tower in downtown Kigali that they need to brand their products and comply with standards to guarantee quality.
"This will help Rwandan cheese to compete favourably with imported cheese. You need to expand business and market widely, and I am sure that raw materials cannot be a problem as our government has put in place good policies for the dairy sector,” Amb. Kayonga told the cheese makers.
Cheese produced in Rwanda include hard and soft cheese with different varieties including the traditional gouda and newer ones like cheddar, feta, mozzarella, gruyere, halloumi, ricotta, goat cheese, St Paulin, cream cheese, processed cheese, St Marceline cheese and paneer cheese, among others.
Alexis Ruzibukira, the director-general for Industry and SMEs at the Ministry of Trade and Industry, said the ministry was ready to support cheese industry as one way of promoting Made-in-Rwanda products, urging producers to prioritise clients’ satisfaction.
The annual cheese expo is organised by USAID’s Rwanda Dairy Competitiveness Programme II (RDCP II) that is implemented by Land’O Lakes International Development.
Standards certification
Dr Dennis Karamuzi, the RDCP II chief of party, urged cheese makers to seek standards certification for their products so that they can be able to market widely both locally and regionally.
"For the last three years, we have trained them on best practices in cheese value chain. It is now time for them to seek for certification to ensure compliance with standards,” he said.
"Certification is a requirement for the trade, so much as you can make a product and market it, it is important that you comply with the quality of expectations,” he added.
Emmanuel Kageruka, the owner of Gishwati Farms, who emerged the best cheese maker last year, said with determination and compliance with standards, cheese making can empower one economically.
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