Rwanda wants to increase its coffee output by more than 50 per cent through the renewal of ageing plantations, the planting of additional trees and the expansion of coffee-growing land by up to 10,000 hectares.
Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources Dr Telesphore Ndabamenye said the increase is needed to expand exports while ensuring sufficient supplies for the domestic market and promoting a stronger coffee-drinking culture among Rwandans.
Ndabamenye announced the target on Thursday, August 27, during the Best of Rwanda 2026 awards ceremony, where 25 of the country’s highest-rated coffees were recognised.
“Five years ago, we were exporting 22,000 tonnes a year. We are now close to 28,000 tonnes, but we want growth above 50 per cent,” he said.
The minister did not specify the reporting period covered by the figure of nearly 28,000 tonnes. NAEB’s latest published calendar-year data show that Rwanda exported 23,860 tonnes of green coffee in 2025.
Ndabamenye said coffee should contribute to the government’s broader objective of increasing agricultural production by 50 per cent. He stressed that expanding volumes must be accompanied by consistently high quality.
The proposed increase will involve rejuvenating ageing coffee trees and establishing new plantations. Rwanda currently has approximately 42,229 hectares under coffee, and the government believes another 10,000 hectares could be added within the next three years.
Nearly 30 per cent of the country’s coffee trees are more than 30 years old and have passed their most productive stage. Existing rejuvenation programmes involve removing old trees, rehabilitating suitable plantations and distributing higher-yielding, climate-resilient seedlings.
Ndabamenye called on coffee farmers to participate actively in the expansion programme and adopt practices that can raise both productivity and quality.
Twenty-five coffees selected
Best of Rwanda is an annual national specialty-coffee competition organised by the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB). It recognises farmers, cooperatives, washing stations, processors and exporters while connecting Rwanda’s highest-quality coffees with premium international markets.
The 2026 competition attracted 320 entries, compared with 316 in 2025. Of those, 147 passed the preliminary selection, while 50 advanced to the national evaluation stage.
National and international coffee cuppers subsequently selected 25 winning coffees eligible to represent Rwanda in international competitions, exhibitions and the Best of Rwanda online auction scheduled for October 21.
Huye-based K-Organics Ltd retained first place in the natural-process category, having also won in 2025. Great Coffee Farmers Ltd topped the fully washed category. Other recognised entries in the fully washed category came from Abahuzamugambi ba Kawa-Maraba Cooperative, RWACOF and CAFERWA.
The natural-process winners also included coffees from Ubuntu, Abateraninkunga ba Sholi Cooperative, IMPEXCOR Ltd and Baho Coffee Company Ltd.
K-Organics Managing Director Evariste Karangwa attributed the company’s performance to careful management throughout the production chain, from soil preparation, variety selection and fertiliser application to harvesting and processing. He said the company pays close attention to the direction of sunlight and protects harvested coffee from excessive exposure. Its coffee is particularly recognised for a strong aroma, distinctive flavour and natural sweetness.
Competition raises value of Rwandan coffee
NAEB Chief Executive Claude Bizimana said the competition has strengthened the international visibility and market value of Rwandan specialty coffee.
Over the past two editions, the average price obtained by participating coffees increased from $24.77 per kilogramme to $27.20.
The highest price rose from $71.87 to a record $88.18 per kilogramme, achieved by K-Organics during the 2025 online auction.
Bizimana said the results demonstrate the competition’s importance in rewarding producers, promoting high-quality coffee and connecting Rwandan businesses with international specialty-coffee buyers.
Coffee generated more than Rwf773 billion, approximately $527 million, for Rwanda between 2020 and 2025.
In 2025 alone, the country exported 23,860 tonnes of green coffee and earned $148.6 million, its highest annual coffee-export revenue on record.
Under the current NST2 target, Rwanda aims to export 32,000 tonnes of coffee annually and generate $192 million in revenue from the crop by 2029.
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