Rwanda is set to export 20 containers, equivalent to 384 tonnes, of green coffee valued at Rwf2.5 billion to Seoul, South Korea, according to the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB). Green coffee beans, the raw seeds of coffee cherries yet to be roasted, have secured a market during the “Coffee Expo Seoul 2024,” the largest coffee exhibition in South Korea held from March 21-24.
The Rwanda Development Board (RDB), in collaboration with NAEB, the Private Sector Federation (PSF), and the Rwanda Embassy in South Korea, facilitated the participation of Rwandan coffee exporters at the exhibition, which attracted 60,000 attendees worldwide. Out of the 400 companies present, six were from Rwanda.
During the exhibition, Rwandan exhibitors secured a market to export 76.8 tonnes of green coffee in 2024, potentially generating Rwf500 million, as reported by NAEB’s Division Manager of Traditional Commodities, Alexis Nkurunziza. Nkubito Manzi Bakuramutsa, Rwanda’s Ambassador to South Korea, noted the increasing popularity of Rwanda’s coffee among South Korean consumers, with Rwanda being chosen as the guest country for the exhibition.
Ernest Nshimiyimana, President of Dukunde Kawa Musasa Cooperative, emphasized that new clients have provided recommendations for quantity and quality, with plans to send samples soon. The success in coffee exports is evident in Rwanda’s financial records, with exports totaling $115.9 million in the fiscal year 2022/2023, a significant increase from the previous year.
Rwanda’s coffee industry, dating back to 1900, has seen efforts to boost productivity by rehabilitating and replacing aging coffee trees with new varieties. Officials at NAEB highlight the potential to increase yield per tree from the current 2 kilograms to 7-10 kilograms through tree replacement, supported by initiatives such as the Rwanda Agriculture Board’s promotion of the new RAB C15 variety.
