Avocado farmers, exporters upbeat about potential access to China

Rwandan avocado farmers and exporters have welcomed plans by Rwanda and China to sign a protocol expected to allow the export of avocados to the Chinese market. The proposed deal, announced on Tuesday, November 4, by the Rwandan Embassy in Beijing, is seen as a major step in expanding the market for the country’s horticulture exports. ALSO READ: Rwanda may soon export avocados to China Robert Rukundo, the Chairperson of Horticulture Exporters Association of Rwanda, said access to the Chinese market will mark a breakthrough for local exporters. “The Chinese market could become one of the biggest destinations for Rwandan avocados,” he said. “We have been exporting mainly to Dubai and some parts of Europe, mostly by air. We are now also exploring sea transport to make exports more cost-effective.” ALSO READ: Rwanda-China trade doubles as exports to China increase fivefold He added that production and processing have grown in recent years, increasing the need for more investment in the avocado value chain. “Processing avocado oil is also picking up locally. We thank the government for supporting market expansion to China and other destinations,” he said. Rwanda's avocado exports generated $6.3 million in 2023, up from just $440,000 in 2013, according to the National Agricultural Export Board (NAEB). That year, Rwanda exported 3,200 tonnes of avocados at an average of $2 per kilogramme. As the government targets to increase avocado exports to 31,000 tonnes in 2029, large markets like China and India are on the radar of local producers. Theogene Twahirwa, an avocado farmer from Rulindo District, welcomed the plan to access the Chinese market, saying it represents a “great opportunity.” ALSO READ: What $140m investment could do in Rwanda’s avocado value chain? “Farmers are ready for this market,” said Twahirwa, who has grown avocados on more than 2 hectares since 2022. He noted that while avocado farming began as a community-driven initiative, stronger partnerships between government institutions and farmers could further boost productivity and competitiveness. “Most farmers are growing avocados using their own savings, which can be challenging. We need closer collaboration with government institutions, so they understand where support is most needed,” Twahirwa said. To sustain the production to meet the market demands, he says that there is a need for affordable agricultural financing and an agriculture bank is much needed since other countries have managed to establish them. “We compete with our counterparts from other countries who often access loans at very low or even zero interest rates, grants and incentives,” said Twahirwa. Here, we rely on commercial banks, which follow strict regulations and are not easy to change or adapt to. Establishing a dedicated agricultural bank would make a big difference,” he added. He highlighted the need for grants and reliable avocado seeds, pointing out that some suppliers provide substandard seedlings. “Improved seeds must come from trusted sources. I once received fake seedlings that I later had to replace. Ensuring quality will help us produce better and more durable trees,” he added. Christian Mugunga, the Managing Director of MCS Star, an avocado exporting firm based in Gasabo District, said entering the Chinese market might help exporters navigate price fluctuations. “We currently export varieties like Hass and Fuerte to Dubai. Prices there change frequently, around $7-8 per 4kg box of avocado, but with more markets, we can balance and remain stable,” he said. According to National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB), the government is expanding avocado plantations to meet rising demand. Under one project, 800 hectares have been allocated for grafted avocado seedlings in Rusizi, Huye, Nyanza, Rwamagana, and Bugesera districts. The initiative will involve around 1,600 smallholder farmers and aims to plant a total of 240,000 avocado seedlings and 60,000 mango seedlings across 1,000 hectares by 2029. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources’ Fifth Strategic Plan for Agriculture Transformation (PSTA5), land designated for export crops, including avocado, French beans and passion fruit, is expected to increase by 22 per cent by 2029, in line with the country’s Second National Strategy for Transformation (NST2) targets.

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Avocado farmers, exporters upbeat about potential access to China