Rwandan peppers connect Rwandan farmers with consumers in China

This photo taken on June 5, 2025 shows Rwandan chili sauce products at the Hunan Cereals, Oils & Foodstuffs Import & Export Group in central China's Hunan Province. At the ongoing 4th China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo held in Changsha of Hunan, a chili sauce product, made from Rwandan peppers, has received great consumer attention for its strong flavor. The rise of the chili sauce is a clear sign of a growing bond between African farms and Chinese consumers.

Dating back to the 1st China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo in 2019, enterprises in Hunan made a preliminary agreement with their Rwandan counterparts to purchase dried peppers, following an export application of dried peppers from Rwanda to China. In August 2021, Rwanda exported dried peppers to Hunan for the first time and became the first African country exporting dried peppers to China.

In 2024, Gashora Farm, which is headquartered in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, partnered with HAIC -- Hunan Modern Agriculture International Development Co. Ltd, a subsidiary of Hunan Cereals, Oils & Foodstuffs Import & Export Group (Hunan COF) -- to launch the Rwanda-Hunan Chili Pepper Industry Demonstration Project. Rwanda's favorable climate, affordable labor force, and efficient government procedures facilitated the project's growth.

Under a contract farming model, the project covers 100 hectares and spans the entire value chain -- from seedling cultivation to export. In the first season after the deal was signed, 200 tons of dried chili were shipped to China.

The Rwandan chili project crystalizes deepening Africa-China cooperation. Across the Asian and African continents, stories of trust, cooperation, and shared growth continue to get written.(Xinhua/Chen Zeguo)

Customs officers inspect dried peppers from Rwanda at a warehouse in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, June 11, 2025. The dried peppers will be transported to Hunan for processing into ingredients of hotpot condiment.(Xinhua/Li Ziheng)

An exhibitor introduces Rwandan chili sauce products during the 4th China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, June 12, 2025.(Xinhua/Jin Mamengni)

A staff member screens out chili peppers in Nyagatare district, Rwanda, May 22, 2025.(Xinhua/Ji Li)

This photo taken on June 5, 2025 shows Rwandan chili sauce products at the Hunan Cereals, Oils & Foodstuffs Import & Export Group in central China's Hunan Province.(Xinhua/Chen Zeguo)

Staff members promote Rwandan chili sauce products via live stream at the Hunan Cereals, Oils & Foodstuffs Import & Export Group in central China's Hunan Province, June 5, 2025.(Xinhua/Chen Zeguo)

A volunteer arranges Rwandan chili sauce products during the 4th China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, June 12, 2025.(Xinhua/Xue Yuge)

A consumer chooses Rwandan chili sauce products at a convenient store in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, June 6, 2025.(Xinhua/Chen Zeguo)

A business manager of Hunan Modern Agriculture International Development Co. Ltd checks the growing condition of chili peppers with a local staff member at the Gashora Farm in Nyagatare district, Rwanda, May 22, 2025.(Xinhua/Ji Li)

A consumer adds Rwandan chili sauce onto a bowl of rice noodles for breakfast at a convenient store in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, June 6, 2025.(Xinhua/Chen Zeguo)

Staff members check the growing condition of chili peppers at the Gashora Farm in Nyagatare district, Rwanda, May 22, 2025.(Xinhua/Ji Li)

This photo taken on May 22, 2025 shows the signboard of the Rwanda-Hunan Chili Pepper Industry Demonstration Project at the Gashora Farm in Nyagatare district, Rwanda.(Xinhua/Ji Li)

This photo taken on June 11, 2025 shows dried peppers from Rwanda at a warehouse in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province. The dried peppers will be transported to Hunan for processing into ingredients of hotpot condiment.(Xinhua/Li Ziheng)

A staff member checks the growing condition of chili peppers at the Gashora Farm in Nyagatare district, Rwanda, May 22, 2025.(Xinhua/Ji Li)

A staff member screens out chili peppers in Nyagatare district, Rwanda, May 22, 2025.(Xinhua/Ji Li)