Rwanda’s coffee sector posted a historic performance in 2025, with export revenues reaching a record high of nearly $150 million, according to the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB). Year-on-year export volumes increased by 39 per cent, while revenues surged by 65 per cent. The growth, NAEB said, was driven by higher export volumes, rising international prices, and sustained investment in production and market expansion. ALSO READ: How Rwanda’s coffee exports surged to nearly $120m in 2024/25 Data from NAEB show that the country exported 23,860 tonnes of green coffee (unroasted) in 2025, earning more than $148.6 million (approx. Rwf216 billion) in export revenues. This marked a significant improvement compared to 2024, when the country exported 17,142 tonnes valued at more than $89.8 million. The strong revenue growth was also supported by higher prices on the global market. The average export price of Rwandan coffee rose by 19 per cent to $6.2 per kilogramme in 2025, compared to 2024. “With regard to the 2025 growth performance, this indicates that Rwanda is on a strong trajectory to achieve the target of 32,000 tons of coffee exports and to generate $192 million in export revenues by the end of NST2 in 2029,” said NAEB Chief Executive Claude Bizimana. ALSO READ: Rising prices offer Rwanda’s coffee sector a boost A closer look at key drivers The strong performance in 2025 was driven by both increased coffee production and expanded market access, Bizimana said. On the production side, output benefited from coffee trees prepared and distributed by NAEB over the past five years, reaching the productive stage, as well as the provision of fertilisers and good farming practices. Attractive coffee prices encouraged farmers to invest more in proper farm maintenance, while favourable climatic conditions supported higher yields. ALSO READ: How high prices buoyed Rwanda coffee exports At the same time, export growth was reinforced by targeted market development initiatives. Bizimana said that NAEB stepped up strategic promotion of Rwandan coffee in emerging markets, particularly in the Middle East, while also strengthening its presence in niche specialty markets in Europe and North America. 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, he added. ALSO READ: Rwanda Coffee sets new record, fetching $88 per kilo at auction The best year for Rwanda’s coffee so far While export volumes in 2025 were comparable to those recorded in 2019—when exports reached about 23,400 tonnes— last year's revenues reached an all-time high. This makes 2025 the best year on record in terms of earnings from coffee exports. “With regard to export revenues, 2025 recorded a historic high, surpassing all previous records,” Bizimana stated. Speaking to The New Times, Oreste Baragahorana, Chairperson of the Coffee Exporters and Processors Association of Rwanda (CEPAR), attributed the record revenues largely to rising prices on the international market, which pushed up the prices at which Rwanda sells its coffee. He said this price increase, combined with higher export volumes, significantly boosted the country’s earnings. ALSO READ: Farmers upbeat as coffee cherry prices rise by 25% Baragahorana pointed out that fluctuations in global coffee prices have a direct impact on the country’s export revenues. Nonetheless, he said the sector is clearly making progress and deserves increased government support, given coffee’s role as a major income generator for the country. He added that a substantial share of coffee export revenues flows directly to rural areas, particularly to farmers. In 2025, farmers earned an average of Rwf900 per kilogramme of coffee cherries, well above the baseline farm-gate price of Rwf600 per kilogramme set by NAEB as the minimum price buyers must pay. “The growth in coffee exports is highly significant for Rwanda’s economy, as increased foreign exchange inflows help stabilise inflation,” Baragahorana said. “Higher prices are also motivating farmers to remain engaged in coffee production.” He added that this ensures long-term sustainability for the coffee industry.
