Switzerland, US, and UK Emerge as Top Buyers of Rwandan Coffee

Rwanda’s coffee export revenues dropped by 32.1% in the 2023/2024 fiscal year, falling to $78.7 million (approximately Rwf110 billion), down from over $115.9 million recorded in the previous year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI).

The decline in revenues was largely attributed to a 17.9% reduction in export volumes, which dropped from over 20,000 tonnes in 2022/2023 to just above 16,400 tonnes in 2023/2024. The ministry’s annual report cited climate change and volatile global coffee prices as the primary causes of this downturn.

Data from the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB) also indicated a decline in the average international price for Rwandan coffee, which fell by 17.3% — from $5.78 per kilogram in 2022/2023 to $4.78 in 2023/2024.

Leading Importers of Rwandan Coffee in 2023/2024

Despite the overall downturn, several international markets maintained strong demand for Rwandan coffee. According to NAEB:

• Switzerland topped the list, importing over 3,710 tonnes worth $18.4 million — accounting for 23% of Rwanda’s total coffee export revenue.

• United States followed, purchasing more than 1,915 tonnes valued at nearly $11 million (14% of the total).

• United Kingdom ranked third, with imports of over 1,254 tonnes worth more than $6.6 million (8%).

Other notable importers included:

• Sweden: 856 tonnes, nearly $4 million

• Italy: 898 tonnes, over $3.4 million

• Germany: 655 tonnes, $3.4 million

• Japan: 529 tonnes, $3.3 million

• Finland: 730 tonnes, $3.1 million

• Russia: 753 tonnes, $2.51 million

• Belgium: 585 tonnes, $2.5 million

• China: 400 tonnes, $2 million

• Netherlands: 421 tonnes, $1.8 million

Outlook: Recovery on the Horizon

Despite the recent slump, exporters are optimistic that rising international coffee prices could boost Rwanda’s performance in the current fiscal year, 2024/2025.

According to the fifth edition of the Strategic Plan for Agriculture Transformation (PSTA 5), Rwanda aims to generate $85 million in coffee export revenue in 2024/2025, with a longer-term goal of reaching $115.5 million by 2028/2029.

To achieve this, the government plans to increase export volumes to more than 21,300 tonnes in 2024/2025 and 32,000 tonnes by 2028/2029. The area under coffee cultivation is also set to expand from 42,229 hectares in 2023 to 44,729 hectares by the end of the plan.