Rewanda’s coffee sector posted a historic performance in 2025, with export revenues climbing to a record high as rising volumes and stronger global prices combined to boost earnings.
Export revenues reached nearly $150 million last year, according to official figures, with export volumes rising 39 per cent year on year while revenues jumped 65 per cent. The strong showing marked the best year on record for Rwanda’s coffee exports in value terms.
The country exported 23,860 tonnes of green, unroasted coffee in 2025, earning more than $148.6 million (about Rwf216 billion). That compared with 17,142 tonnes exported in 2024, valued at $89.8 million, underscores the scale of the rebound.
The growth was driven by a combination of increased output, expanding market access, and firmer international prices. Rwanda’s average export price rose 19 per cent to $6.2 per kilogramme in 2025, reflecting strong demand for its specialty coffee.
“About the 2025 growth performance, this indicates that Rwanda is on a strong trajectory to achieve the target of 32,000 tons of coffee exports and to generate $192 million in export revenues by the end of NST2 in 2029,” said Claude Bizimana, chief executive of the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB).
Production gains and market expansion
Bizimana said the strong performance was underpinned by improvements on both the production and marketing fronts. On the supply side, output benefited from coffee trees distributed and prepared by NAEB over the past five years that have now reached maturity.
Farmers also received fertilisers and training in good agricultural practices, while favourable weather conditions sup Rwanda’s ported higher yields. Strong global prices further encouraged growers to invest in better farm maintenance and harvesting practices.
At the same time, Rwanda intensified efforts to expand its presence in key export markets. Bizimana said NAEB stepped up promotion of Rwandan coffee in emerging destinations, particularly in the Middle East, while consolidating its foothold in established specialty markets in Europe and North America.
Flagship initiatives such as the Best of Rwanda Coffee Competition played a central role in highlighting the quality of Rwandan coffee and attracting new international buyers, he added.
Although export volumes in 2025 were broadly in line with levels seen in 2019, when shipments reached about 23,400 tonnes, the sharp rise in prices meant export revenues hit an all-time high.
“About export revenues, 2025 recorded a historic high, surpassing all previous records,” Bizimana said.
The strong export performance also translated into higher earnings for farmers. In 2025, growers earned an average of $0.62 (Rwf900) per kilogramme of coffee cherries, well above the baseline farm-gate price of $0.41 (Rwf600) per kilogramme set by NAEB as the minimum buyers must pay.
Looking ahead, prospects for 2026 appear even stronger. NAEB has raised the official farm-gate price to $0.52 (Rwf750) per kilogramme, up from last year’s minimum, signalling expectations of another solid year for both farmers and the wider economy.
The coffee sector is a cornerstone of Rwanda’s agricultural exports and a key source of foreign exchange. Authorities see continued investment in quality, productivity, and market diversification as critical to sustaining growth and meeting long-term export targets under the country’s second National Strategy for Transformation.
