Onion post-harvest losses in the country are set to decline from 15% to 7%, thanks to new drying and storage facilities, as the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB) moves to help swell horticulture exports. ALSO READ: Rwanda’s horticulture exports generate $46m in 8 months The target was announced by NAEB which reported that construction of new drying and storage facilities for onions and chilli is now 78% complete. Onions remain a key component of Rwanda’s horticultural exports. ALSO READ: How farmers are managing post-harvest losses amid heavy rains Over the past five years (2020/2021–2024/2025), Rwanda exported 31,600 tonnes of onions, generating more than Rwf26.6 billion in revenue. ALSO READ: How can Rwanda achieve its $1bn target in agric exports? According to NAEB, horticulture export revenues surged from $5.8 million in 2015/16 to $86.2 million in 2024/25—an almost 15-fold increase. For example, in 2022/23, Rwanda exported 51,680 tonnes of vegetables, including onions, valued at $34.6 million. This rose to 61,990 tonnes in 2023/24, generating $42.3 million. The upward trend continued in 2024/25, with exports reaching 69,330 tonnes and earning $53.8 million—a 27% increase in value compared to the previous year. Aimable Rusingizandekwe, the Project Manager for Food Handling and Value Chain Improvement at NAEB, said the drying and storage facilities are under construction in Rubavu, Rulindo, Bugesera, and Nyagatare, at a total cost exceeding Rwf3 billion. “Each facility can dry more than 18 tonnes per week. The new storage buildings are expected to reduce onion post-harvest losses from 15% to 7%,” he explained. Boniface Benimana, an onion trader at Bazirete Market in Nyakiriba Sector, Rubavu District, said that without proper drying facilities, onions are often sold at giveaway prices. “A trader can buy a sack of onions for Rwf80,000, but when the price drops to Rwf50,000, we are forced to sell because there is nowhere to store them for long,” he said. Benimana trades about 100 sacks per week, each weighing over 100 kilogrammes. “There was a time I lost Rwf15 million. If we had storage facilities, I could have waited for better prices,” he added. Aline Gloria Shimwa, a trader and farmer, said onions are especially vulnerable during the rainy season due to the lack of drying facilities. “This often forces us to sell at very low prices. If I expect Rwf80,000 per sack, prices can fall to Rwf40,000, causing significant losses,” she said. Shimwa recalled investing Rwf320,000 in onion farming, only to sell the produce for Rwf18,000 after it was damaged before buyers could purchase it. Nicodème Sebera, a farmer from Kanzenze Sector in Rubavu District, added that the ability to store onions safely for up to four months would significantly improve profits. “We invest around Rwf400 to produce one kilogramme of onions. Selling below that amount leads to heavy losses,” he said. Sebera is among more than 5,000 farmers from six cooperatives trained in proper harvesting techniques and good agricultural practices in South Korea. These farmers are expected to train others in turn. “With proper drying facilities, onion exports to DR Congo and Uganda will increase,” he added. Project impact Overall, the project is expected to benefit 232,734 smallholder farmers organised into 224 cooperatives, as well as 161 traders. The $11 million Food Handling and Value Chain Improvement project, funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency, is supporting the establishment of five post-harvest handling centres for chilli and onions and is scheduled for completion in 2026. With these facilities, onions will be stored for up to six months without spoilage, significantly reducing post-harvest losses.
