Goat meat prices have gone up in the Eastern Province due to the huge demand, dealers and farmers have said. They noted that the current demand has outstripped supply, thanks to preparation for the Christmas and New Year festive season. 

A mini-survey by The New Times in markets across the province also discovered that farmers and livestock dealers from other districts have taken advantage of the situation to cash in on the growing demand.

A medium-sized goat is now at Rwf40,000, while a kilogramme of goat’s meat is between Rwf3,000 and Rwf3,500 in most places in the province.

Abdul-Aziz Habimana, a meat dealer in Rwamagana District, said the situation has been aggravated by reluctance of cattle keepers to sale livestock in anticipation of better prices in coming weeks.

"Though the prices of goat’s prices have gone up slightly, they will skyrocket in coming days, especially during the last two weeks of the month. Dealers and livestock farmers are waiting for the prices to go higher,” he said. In contrast, prices of sheep are still very low. A medium-sized sheep is at between Rwf10,000 and Rwf15,000.

Justin Munyenshongore, a resident of Kayonza District, attributed the low prices to the fact that many Rwandans don’t eat mutton. But Jean Marie Kayibanda, a resident of Rwamagana District, noted that demand for mutton has been growing overtime.