The plant is expected to boost Rwanda’s horticulture exports

The opening of the new Inyange plant based in Masaka, 19 km from Kigali City has been postponed to September this year, top official in the company has said.

Nils Zirimwabagabo, Inyange industry’s project coordinator explained that the delayed arrival of installers (engineers) has caused the postponement.

"We had expected them earlier this year to install the machines but they haven’t turned up, prompting us to reschedule our opening dates.”

The new industry is expected to benefit fruit farmers by opening markets for their produce. Farmers will be offered supply contracts to ensure steady supply of raw materials to maintain the production levels.

The project, which had been planned to be operational by June, is also expected to boost Rwanda’s horticulture exports.

According to company management, the new plant will have an average production  capacity of 360,000 litres per hour, across all products from 2,976 litres. This means that some 15,000 litres of extra juice and liquid products will be produced per hour.

Zirimwabagabo disclosed that installation is expected in July, before testing over about five weeks, adding: "Regardless of the testing results, we hope to start operating by September.”

The old industries currently located at Gikondo industrial area are expected to relocate to the new location on the 4.3 hectares of land in Masaka.

The expansion project worth $27 million (Rwf14.9 billion) will see maracuja and long-life juices added to the company’s product line, which also includes orange, mango, and apple juices, milk and mineral water.

The expansion is seen as a big step towards beating competition from Sulfo industry and Urwibutso Enterprise, Inyange’s main rivals.

Rwanda has the opportunity to export concentrated juices and organic products such as banana products, and  passion fruits because of its favourable climate and soils.

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