The value of Kenyan exports to Rwanda grew by over 240% from US$35.56 million in September to US$121.4 million in October, according to the new statistics from Kigali.
- •On the flip side, Tanzania exported goods worth US$57.38 million in October, slumping by 39% from US$94.13 million in September.
- •Most of the goods imported by Kigali in October came from China, valued at US$125.77 million, a 13% increase from the September figures.
- •Kenya is now the second largest importer of goods in Rwanda, recording a 360% growth in the value of imports in October this year compared to October last year.
- •Total imports in the country hit US$629.78 million while exports stood at US$266.13 million in October.
“The deficit in the balance of formal trade in goods was US$ 363.65 million in October 2024, a decrease of 7.37% compared to the previous month of September 2024. Year-to-year, the formal trade in goods deficit increased by 11.89% on the deficit of October 2023,” the statistics body reported.
Other key imports in Rwanda came from India, UAE, Uganda, Malaysia, Belgium, Egypt, and Japan.
Rwanda mainly imported food and live animals valued at US$115.8 million in October, compared to US$97 million in September. Other important imports included beverages and tobacco, crude materials, mineral fuels and lubricants, animal fats and vegetable oils, chemicals, and machinery.
“In October 2024 imports value decreased by 1.92 per cent compared to September 2024 and increased by 23.99 per cent compared to October 2023,” the report said.
Rwanda’s Exports, and the Tiff with Tanzania
On the other hand, Rwanda exported most of its goods to UAE, DRC, Luxembourg, Uganda, USA, UK, and China. In October 2024, Rwanda’s domestic exports value decreased by 15.75% compared to September 2024 and increased by 61.81% compared to October 2023.
The value of goods imported by air transport declined from US$197.38 million in September to US$118.04 million in October. Those from land increased from US$444.71 million in September to US$511.75 million in October.
Rwanda and Tanzania are engaged in a scuffle over trade in dairy products. Dar is being accused of blocked milk imports from Rwanda and exacting a levy that diminishes their competitiveness. Kigali has lamented that such a policy is retrogressive and violates EAC common market requirements.
The trade in dairy products remains contentious in the East African region largely because of deep political and business interests in the sector. Both Rwanda and Kenya have previously issued permits to block milk from Uganda. This subsequently leads to retaliatory policies that continue to stunt free trade across the region.