From Seed to Sauce – the Chilli Mash Company’s Rwanda Story

At The Chilli Mash Company, our mission has
always been to produce bold, flavourful chilli products with complete
transparency and ethical sourcing. But to keep that promise – especially with
the increasing challenges of growing chillies in the UK – we knew we had to go
further afield to find the perfect climate, passionate partners, and
sustainable solutions.

That journey led us to Rwanda

In Rwanda, we’re doing more than just sourcing
ingredients – we’re cultivating them from the ground up. Through our
partnership with Fita Limited, a Rwandan food company we’ve helped
establish and grow, we’ve created a fully traceable farm-to-factory supply
chain that spans continents. Chillies grown in the rich volcanic soils of
Bugesera and surrounding regions are picked at their peak, then fermented,
processed, and prepared on-site in Kigali before being shipped to the UK for
bottling.

This isn’t outsourcing. It’s a vertically
integrated supply chain with full control over farming inputs, sustainability standards, and traceability – from seed to sauce.

Our operations in Rwanda utilise a combination of open-field growing methods and our proven greenhouse techniques, supported by Chilli Mash Company’s agronomic expertise and natural, non-invasive pest control. We only work with trusted local farmers or cultivate on our farms, documenting every step and strictly avoiding the use of harmful
pesticides. And because we’re committed to long-term growth in the region, we’re not just extracting value – we’re reinvesting in local infrastructure, employment, and training.

With the support of Rwandan institutions like the Rwanda FDA and the Rwanda Development Board, Fita Ltd now holds full operator and export licenses. We’ve produced over 5 tonnes of fermented mash already and are rapidly scaling up. Projects are underway to install shade netting to meet EU standards for fresh exports, and a new extraction system is being installed to meet food safety requirements at the Kigali factory.

Through this partnership, we’re not just building a supply chain – we’re building resilience. And most importantly, we’re keeping our promise to our customers: flavour, integrity, and complete transparency, no matter where our chillies are grown.