Rwanda’s National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB) has released a report stating the African nation increased its coffee export volume by 39 per cent in 2025, leading to a record high revenue of almost US$150 million (Rwf 216 billion).
According to the USDA, Rwanda is responsible for approximately 0.2 per cent of global coffee production, and has produced an average of 293,500 60-kilogram bags each year for the past 10 years.
The huge increase in YoY export volumes saw Rwanda’s total coffee exports surge to 23,860 tonnes of unroasted green coffee at a value of US$148.6 million, up from 2024’s figures of 17,142 tonnes and US$89.8 million.
The average export price of Rwandan coffee also rose 19 per cent to average US$6.20 per kilogram in 2025.
NAEB Chief Executive Claude Bizimana says the growth seen in 2025 holds Rwanda’s coffee industry in good stead to reach its growth goals for the end of the current decade.
“With regard to the 2025 growth performance, this indicates Rwanda is on a strong trajectory to achieve the target of 32,000 tonnes of coffee exports to generate US$192 million in export revenues by the end of NST2 (Rwanda’s Second National Strategy for Transformation) in 2029,” says Bizimana.
“With regard to export revenues, 2025 recorded a historic high, surpassing all previous records.”
Bizimana cited emerging markets like the Middle East as key drivers for 2025’s huge increase in exports, along with strengthening in niche specialty markets in Europe and North America.
NAEB also states farmers earned an average of Rwf900 (US$0.62) per kilogram of coffee cherries in 2025, above the baseline farm gate price set by the administration of Rwf600 (US$0.41) as the minimum price buyers must pay.
