Rwanda may soon export avocados to China

By Jesca Mutamba

Workers pack fresh avocados for export at the NAEB packhouse in Kigali. File photo

Rwanda is finalizing arrangements with China to sign a protocol that will pave the way for the export of Rwandan avocados to the Chinese market, according to the Rwandan embassy in Beijing.

The development could mark yet another milestone in the two countries’ steadily growing bilateral trade partnership.

Rwandan avocados already have a growing market in the Middle East, particularly the United Arab Emirates. The butter fruit is fast becoming another cash crop for Rwanda, joining traditional exports like coffee and tea.

Since Rwanda’s debut at the China International Import Expo (CIIE) in 2018, the country has successfully introduced a diverse range of high-quality products to the Chinese market, including coffee, tea, chili, natural honey, macadamia nuts, and handcrafts.

With avocados soon to be added, this expansion reflects the steady growth and diversification of Rwanda’s exports to China, which have seen a rise from $35 million in 2019 to $160.6 million in 2024.

“The protocol for the export of Rwanda’s avocados to China is also expected to be signed soon, further broadening the variety of Rwandan products available to Chinese consumers,” Rwandan embassy announced on Tuesday, November 4.

The announcement came as Rwanda prepared to participate in the 8th edition of the CIIE, scheduled from November 5 to 10 in Shanghai.

“As Rwanda embarks on its 8th appearance at the CIIE, with more than 15 brands represented, it reaffirms its commitment to enhancing economic and cultural ties with China and to showcasing the best of Rwanda to the international community,” the embassy said in a statement.

Rwanda’s participation in the CIIE has yielded results. Products like Rwandan coffee and chili have gained wide recognition among Chinese consumers for their distinctive flavor and natural quality, leading to growing sales on e-commerce platforms.

According to the Embassy, Rwanda’s participation in the import expo continues to offer the country a crucial platform to promote trade, attract investment, and strengthen tourism and cultural exchange. It also provides an avenue to highlight Rwanda’s economic transformation and future prospects.

“This year’s participation takes place against the backdrop of growing collaboration between Rwanda and China in trade, investment, and industrial development, guided by the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC),” the embassy added.

The CIIE has become a gateway for Rwandan enterprises, particularly smallholder farmers and women-led cooperatives, to access the lucrative Chinese market. Through partnerships established at the fair, local producers have boosted exports, enhanced household incomes, and created new jobs.

“The CIIE has proven to be an invaluable platform for Rwandan enterprises, especially smallholder farmers and women-led cooperatives, providing access to the Chinese market. Over previous editions, Rwandan brands, particularly coffee, tea, and honey, have established important trade partnerships that contribute to income generation and job creation in Rwanda,” said James Kimonyo, Rwanda’s Ambassador to China.

He emphasized the broader impact of these trade connections, saying, “Each product showcased represents a value chain benefiting local communities. When Chinese consumers enjoy Rwandan coffee or honey, they are supporting families and entrepreneurs in Rwanda’s rural areas. This is the shared prosperity we strive to achieve.”

Beyond trade, China remains Rwanda’s leading source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), with investments reaching $460 million in 2024 across sectors such as manufacturing, real estate, agro-processing, and mining.

Rwanda’s avocado exports generated $6.3 million i 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.

The New Times