Rwanda sees fruit export earnings surge by 82.5% in 2023/24
RWANDA – Rwanda’s fruit export sector has seen impressive growth, with earnings nearly doubling in the 2023/2024 period.
The country’s National Institute of Statistics (NISR) reports that fruit export revenues soared by 82.5%, reaching more than USD 34.7 million, compared to the USD 19 million earned a year earlier.
This boost highlights the continuing success of the industry, which remains one of the main contributors to Rwanda’s agricultural export economy, alongside vegetables, coffee, tea, and pyrethrum.
According to the NISR’s latest Statistical Yearbook, the growth trend in the fruit export sector has been evident for the last five years.
Average annual increases of about 41.97% have been reported since the 2019/2020 season, when fruit export revenues stood at roughly USD 8.6 million.
The surge in exports has been driven by factors such as expanded fruit tree plantations and the growing diversification of international markets, particularly the European Union.
Jean Bosco Mulindi, director of the emerging products division at the National Office for Agricultural Exports (NAEB), explained in comments published by The New Times on January 14, “The demand for Rwandan fruit is increasing, and so is the number of exporters, year after year. It mainly concerns fresh avocados, macadamia nuts, passion fruit, and fresh strawberries.”
Among the various fruits contributing to Rwanda’s growth, avocados have been the standout performer. The avocado industry alone accounts for more than 30% of total fruit export earnings, and in 2023/2024, export revenues from this fruit surged by nearly 74%, reaching over USD 11 million.
This growth is particularly notable given the global slowdown in avocado trade, with international exports growing by just 2% in 2024, compared to an 11% increase the previous year.
“Rwandan avocados are making their mark in Europe, even as global trade faces challenges. This shift has also been beneficial for other African exporters, such as South Africa,” Mulindi noted.
The FAO attributes the slowing avocado trade to reduced supplies from major producers like Mexico and Peru, giving countries like Rwanda an opportunity to increase their market share.
The growth of the avocado industry in Africa is also noteworthy, with a significant rise in exports from leading countries such as Kenya and South Africa.
In 2024, African nations exported about 355,664 tons of avocados, up 16% from the previous year. While Kenya maintained its position as the top African avocado exporter, South Africa saw the most notable growth, shipping 80,000 tons, a 19% increase from 2023.
This growth was partly driven by a shortage in supplies from Peru, the European Union’s largest avocado supplier.
As a result, more South African avocados were diverted to international markets. Additionally, South Africa began exporting avocados to Japan, expanding its reach into new markets.
Rwanda sees fruit export earnings surge by 82.5% in 2023/24
RWANDA – Rwanda’s fruit export sector has seen impressive growth, with earnings nearly doubling in the 2023/2024 period.
The country’s National Institute of Statistics (NISR) reports that fruit export revenues soared by 82.5%, reaching more than USD 34.7 million, compared to the USD 19 million earned a year earlier.
This boost highlights the continuing success of the industry, which remains one of the main contributors to Rwanda’s agricultural export economy, alongside vegetables, coffee, tea, and pyrethrum.
According to the NISR’s latest Statistical Yearbook, the growth trend in the fruit export sector has been evident for the last five years.
Average annual increases of about 41.97% have been reported since the 2019/2020 season, when fruit export revenues stood at roughly USD 8.6 million.
The surge in exports has been driven by factors such as expanded fruit tree plantations and the growing diversification of international markets, particularly the European Union.
Jean Bosco Mulindi, director of the emerging products division at the National Office for Agricultural Exports (NAEB), explained in comments published by The New Times on January 14, “The demand for Rwandan fruit is increasing, and so is the number of exporters, year after year. It mainly concerns fresh avocados, macadamia nuts, passion fruit, and fresh strawberries.”
Among the various fruits contributing to Rwanda’s growth, avocados have been the standout performer. The avocado industry alone accounts for more than 30% of total fruit export earnings, and in 2023/2024, export revenues from this fruit surged by nearly 74%, reaching over USD 11 million.
This growth is particularly notable given the global slowdown in avocado trade, with international exports growing by just 2% in 2024, compared to an 11% increase the previous year.
“Rwandan avocados are making their mark in Europe, even as global trade faces challenges. This shift has also been beneficial for other African exporters, such as South Africa,” Mulindi noted.
The FAO attributes the slowing avocado trade to reduced supplies from major producers like Mexico and Peru, giving countries like Rwanda an opportunity to increase their market share.
The growth of the avocado industry in Africa is also noteworthy, with a significant rise in exports from leading countries such as Kenya and South Africa.
In 2024, African nations exported about 355,664 tons of avocados, up 16% from the previous year. While Kenya maintained its position as the top African avocado exporter, South Africa saw the most notable growth, shipping 80,000 tons, a 19% increase from 2023.
This growth was partly driven by a shortage in supplies from Peru, the European Union’s largest avocado supplier.
As a result, more South African avocados were diverted to international markets. Additionally, South Africa began exporting avocados to Japan, expanding its reach into new markets.