When 5 tonnes of chilli shipped to Italy in March have been rejected and destroyed, horticulture exporter Robert Rukundo was left counting losses that went far past the worth of the produce.
The cargo adopted an identical rejection in Switzerland in 2025, when two tonnes of chilli have been additionally destroyed.
Rukundo, chairperson of the Horticulture Exporters Affiliation of Rwanda, mentioned a tonne of chilli might be price about $5,000 (roughly Rwf6.3 million), together with manufacturing and transport prices. Exporters may should pay for the destruction of rejected consignments.
“I keep in mind paying about €4,000 (roughly Rwf6.7 million) to have two tonnes of chilli destroyed in Switzerland final yr. The prices range relying on the quantity,” he informed The New Occasions.
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Such losses have raised considerations amongst horticulture exporters over whether or not farmers are utilizing agricultural inputs that meet the necessities of their meant export markets.
“The issue is that we don’t all the time know which inputs farmers have used,” Rukundo mentioned.
The problem is compounded by variations in laws throughout markets. An agricultural enter accepted in a single vacation spot is probably not permitted in one other.
“Merchandise corresponding to Rocket pesticide typically comprise components that aren’t accepted in some markets. A pesticide could also be allowed, however a few of its components is probably not,” he mentioned.
Farm codes to hint produce
To handle the problem, the Nationwide Agricultural Export Growth Board (NAEB) and Rwanda Inspectorate, Competitors and Client Safety Authority (RICA) are strengthening a farm coding and traceability system that hyperlinks exported produce to the farms the place it was grown.
NAEB Chief Govt Officer Claude Bizimana mentioned the system is designed to keep in mind variations in necessities between export locations.
“We now have began placing codes on farms. Land the place chilli meant for export to the UK is grown must be totally different from land the place chilli for India or China is grown as a result of the inputs used might be totally different,” Bizimana mentioned.
He mentioned utilizing inputs that aren’t permitted in a selected vacation spot can lead to a complete consignment being rejected and destroyed.
“When produce is examined and located to have been handled with inputs that aren’t allowed in that specific nation, the entire produce might be destroyed,” he mentioned.
The ensuing losses can have an effect on all the provide chain, together with farmers who equipped the produce.
“That’s the reason we’re wanting on the high quality of farms and the inputs getting used,” Bizimana mentioned.
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Monitoring produce again to the farm
Savio Hakirumurame, Appearing Director of the Farm Product and Processes Inspection Unit at RICA, mentioned farm coding is meant to ascertain the origin and manufacturing historical past of horticultural exports.
As a substitute of treating a consignment merely as Rwandan avocado, chilli or one other horticultural product, the system permits authorities and different actors to hint it again to a registered manufacturing web site.
“That is essential as a result of worldwide markets more and more require proof of the place produce was grown, the way it was managed, what pests have been monitored, what management measures have been utilized and the way the produce moved by way of the provision chain,” Hakirumurame mentioned.
The system is being prolonged to a number of horticultural commodities, together with avocado, French beans, contemporary chilli and macadamia.
RICA has additionally developed export compliance protocols protecting contemporary chilli and capsicum, minimize roses, bitter gourd and child corn for the European Union and UK markets.
Hakirumurame mentioned the necessities can’t be utilized uniformly throughout all crops as a result of importing international locations have totally different phytosanitary, meals security and high quality requirements.
Avocado prepares for brand spanking new markets
The traceability system can be being strengthened as Rwanda seeks to develop its avocado exports.
NAEB has been pursuing new markets by way of commerce exhibitions, whereas Rwanda has signed a protocol for avocado exports to China.
India is one other potential market. A Joint Commerce Committee assembly held in India from July 30 to 31, 2026, agreed that Indian consultants would assess avocado orchards and registered packhouses as a part of preparations to permit Rwandan avocado into the market.
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To help compliance and traceability, NAEB, working with RICA, has recognized 121 key avocado orchards, assigned farm codes and registered 4 packhouses.
Hakirumurame mentioned entry to markets corresponding to India will rely upon exporters constantly assembly destination-specific necessities.
These embrace orchard registration and traceability, pest monitoring, farm information, authorised packing services, correct sorting and grading, and stopping contamination after harvest.
Testing what reaches the market
Pesticide residues stay one of many main compliance considerations for horticultural exports.
Hakirumurame mentioned the difficulty shouldn’t be merely whether or not a pesticide was used, however whether or not it’s authorised for the crop, utilized appropriately and leaves residues throughout the most ranges allowed by the vacation spot market.
“A pesticide could also be legally obtainable or utilized in Rwanda however have a unique regulatory standing or most residue degree in an importing nation,” he mentioned.
Current EU notifications regarding Rwandan peppers and chillies have raised considerations over pesticide residues involving substances corresponding to acetamiprid, chlorpyrifos and carbendazim.
Maurice Barikwisi of NAEB mentioned Rwanda makes use of laboratory tools to establish chemical substances current in horticultural produce and decide their portions.
The tools can assist set up whether or not prohibited chemical substances are current and whether or not chemical substances utilized to provide have had enough time to clear earlier than harvesting.
Compliance begins on the farm
Hakirumurame mentioned the broader goal is to maneuver away from coping with compliance solely when produce is prepared for export.
As a substitute, necessities must be included all through the manufacturing chain, from farm registration and pest administration to pesticide use, harvesting, packing, testing and phytosanitary certification.
The system is due to this fact meant to provide exporters and regulators larger visibility of produce from the farm to the export market, whereas decreasing the chance of expensive rejections and destruction of consignments.
