Rwanda’s coffee sector is heading into 2026 on a stronger footing after the government approved a significant increase in the minimum price paid to farmers, a move expected to boost rural incomes and reinforce the country’s position in global specialty coffee markets.
The National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB) has raised the minimum price for quality, well-ripened coffee cherries to Rwf750 per kilogramme, up from Rwf600 in 2025, representing a 25 per cent increase. The new price applies nationwide and is intended to reflect rising production costs while ensuring farmers receive fairer returns for higher-quality output.
Officials say the adjustment comes at a critical time for the sector, which has shown steady export growth. Rwanda’s coffee exports are projected to reach $150 million, underlining the crop’s importance as one of the country’s top foreign exchange earners and a key livelihood source for tens of thousands of smallholder farmers.
NAEB says the revised pricing structure is part of broader reforms aimed at improving productivity, quality control and traceability. By incentivising farmers to harvest and deliver well-ripened cherries, authorities hope to sustain Rwanda’s reputation for premium coffee, particularly in specialty markets in Europe, North America and Asia.
Farmer groups have broadly welcomed the move, noting that higher prices could ease pressure from rising input costs, including fertilisers, labour and transport. Some cooperatives say the increase may also encourage younger people to remain in coffee farming, addressing long-standing concerns about ageing farmer populations.
Economists point out that while the price hike is positive, long-term income growth will depend on parallel investments in extension services, access to finance and climate resilience. Coffee production in Rwanda remains vulnerable to weather variability, pests and diseases, all of which can erode gains from better pricing if not addressed.
The government has signalled that additional support measures, including improved access to seedlings and post-harvest infrastructure, are in the pipeline as part of its wider agricultural export strategy.
As global coffee prices fluctuate and competition intensifies, Rwanda’s latest move signals a clear policy direction: prioritising farmer welfare while doubling down on quality-driven export growth.
