A refrigeration solution from Carrier Transicold has enabled Kigali Farms in Rwanda to significantly lower food loss and operating expenses while delivering fresh produce to local and regional markets efficiently.
Starting in 2010, Kigali Farms began cultivating oyster mushrooms to support small-scale farmers and combat malnutrition in Rwanda. The business later expanded to producing button mushrooms for packaging and shipping to Kenya, which required strict temperature control due to the perishability of mushrooms.
Initial reliance on third-party transporters resulted in irregular temperature logs and unreliable product quality, causing significant product losses and threatening the business. To solve this problem, Kigali Farms invested in its own refrigerated truck fitted with Carrier Transicold’s Supra 750 unit. This unit provides constant evaporation airflow, robust design, high reliability, and superior cooling performance, ensuring cold chain continuity even during multiple door openings and customs checks. Accurate temperature control at all set points was critical for maintaining the quality of the perishables.
Implementing Carrier Transicold’s solution led to a dramatic reduction in waste, from 20% to almost zero, as the temperature remained stable throughout the transportation process, preserving the condition of the mushrooms. The changes immediately impacted the business positively, allowing fresh mushrooms to be delivered to East African supermarkets, thereby reducing food waste and supporting sustainability initiatives.
In addition to solving their cold chain challenges, Kigali Farms utilized the return trips to transport third-party goods, covering the operating costs of their own truck. This strategic move reduced their transportation expenses from $100,000 annually to zero.
Carrier Transicold’s involvement provided critical cold chain expertise, ensuring that freshness was maintained by controlling the transportation conditions. The initiative not only supported Kigali Farms’ operational efficiency but also contributed to the broader goals of sustainability and agricultural diversity in East Africa.
