Rwanda’s coffee export revenues rose to a record high of nearly US$150 million in 2025, driven by sharply higher shipment volumes, rising global prices and expanded access to international markets, official data showed.
According to the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB), coffee export earnings climbed 65 percent year on year, marking the strongest performance ever recorded by the sector.
Export volumes increased by 39 percent to 23,860 tonnes of green, unroasted coffee, up from 17,142 tonnes in 2024. The shipments generated more than US$148.6 million in export revenues, compared with US$89.8 million the previous year.
The strong earnings growth was reinforced by higher prices on global markets. The average export price of Rwandan coffee rose by 19 percent to US$6.20 per kilogramme in 2025, reflecting sustained demand for specialty and premium coffees.
“With regard to the 2025 growth performance, this indicates that Rwanda is on a strong trajectory to achieve the target of 32,000 tonnes of coffee exports and to generate $192 million in export revenues by the end of NST2 in 2029,” NAEB chief executive Claude Bizimana said, referring to the government’s second National Strategy for Transformation.
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Bizimana attributed the robust performance to gains on both the production and market-access fronts.
On the supply side, he said output benefited from coffee trees prepared and distributed by NAEB over the past five years, many of which have now reached full productivity. He also cited the provision of fertilisers, wider adoption of good agricultural practices and favourable climatic conditions.
“Attractive coffee prices encouraged farmers to invest more in proper farm maintenance, while favourable climatic conditions supported higher yields,” Bizimana said.
Rwanda’s coffee export growth was also supported by targeted market development efforts. NAEB stepped up promotion in emerging markets, particularly in the Middle East, while consolidating the country’s presence in niche specialty markets in Europe and North America.
Bizimana said flagship initiatives such as the Best of Rwanda Coffee Competition played a key role in showcasing the country’s high-quality coffee and attracting new international buyers.
While export volumes in 2025 were broadly in line with levels last seen in 2019 when Rwanda shipped about 23,400 tonnes export revenues reached an all-time high last year due to stronger prices.
“With regard to export revenues, 2025 recorded a historic high, surpassing all previous records,” Bizimana said.
The improved performance translated into higher earnings for farmers. In 2025, coffee growers earned an average of about US$0.64 per kilogramme of coffee cherries, well above the baseline farm-gate price of roughly US$0.43 per kilogramme set by NAEB as the minimum price buyers must pay.
Industry representatives said the gains were significant for the broader economy.
“The growth in coffee exports is highly significant for Rwanda’s economy, as increased foreign exchange inflows help stabilise inflation,” said Oreste Baragahorana, chairperson of the Coffee Exporters and Processors Association of Rwanda.
He added that stronger prices were helping to sustain farmer participation in the sector.
“Higher prices are motivating farmers to remain engaged in coffee production,” Baragahorana said, noting that the trend supports the long-term sustainability of Rwanda’s coffee industry.
Coffee remains one of Rwanda’s top agricultural export earners, alongside tea, and is a key source of income for hundreds of thousands of smallholder farmers across the country.
