Rwanda: Nutritionists Recommend Alternative Protein Sources As Beef Prices Remain High

What the report says

Rwanda is seeing higher beef prices after an outbreak of Rift Valley Fever disrupted livestock supply, according to The New Times, which reported through AllAfrica. The article said beef is now selling at about Rwf8,000 to Rwf9,000 per kilogramme in some markets, after previously rising above Rwf10,000 before easing somewhat as demand fell. Before the outbreak, wholesale prices were around Rwf6,000 to Rwf6,500 per kilogramme.

In response to the tighter and more expensive beef supply, nutritionists urged consumers to consider other protein sources. Private Kamanzi, chairman of the Rwanda Nutritionists Society, said meat remains a key source of protein and iron, but households that cannot buy it regularly can still meet nutritional needs through other foods. He pointed to chicken, fish and soy-based products such as tofu and soy milk as alternatives.

Hyguette Irambona, a nutritionist with Gardens for Health International in Kigali, said many Rwandans already eat meat less frequently and often view it as a special-occasion food. She noted that chicken and pork are currently cheaper than beef, while fish can provide protein and omega-3 fatty acids. For plant-based diets, she recommended beans, lentils, green peas, groundnuts and pumpkin seeds, while cautioning that people may need larger portions of some plant foods to match the protein in meat.