Rwanda targets nearly doubling tea exports by 2029

The Inspirer.

Rwanda is aiming to nearly double its annual tea exports from 40,000 tonnes to at least 70,000 tonnes by 2029, as part of efforts to strengthen foreign exchange earnings and expand its presence in global tea markets.

The National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB) also projects that tea export revenues will increase from US$117 million last year to US$300 million annually within the same period.

The targets were presented by Alexis Nkurunziza, Manager of the Traditional Commodities Division at NAEB, during a meeting with members of the Economic Policy Research Network (EPRN), where he called for increased research and innovation to support the sector’s growth.

Nkurunziza said Rwanda plans to expand tea plantations by an additional 10,000 hectares to boost production capacity.

He also noted that the country intends to reduce its reliance on the Mombasa Tea Auction, with the proportion of tea sold through the auction expected to decline from 72 percent to 50 percent by 2029. The shift is expected to increase direct access to international buyers and diversify export markets.

Currently, about 95 percent of Rwanda’s tea is exported in bulk form. The government aims to increase value addition by ensuring that at least 20 percent of tea exports consist of processed and specialty teas, which attract higher prices on the international market.

Nkurunziza said tea farmers currently receive about 50 percent of the market price, equivalent to between RWF 300 and RWF 600 per kilogram depending on quality.

He added that Rwanda is studying the possible introduction of mechanised tea harvesting, while ensuring that it does not compromise the quality and distinctive characteristics of Rwandan tea.

In the short term, the country will need an additional 13,865 tea pluckers to support increased production, on top of the existing workforce of 18,435.

NAEB and the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) continue to support farmers through improved seedlings, rehabilitation of ageing plantations, technical assistance, and better fertilizer use.

Rwanda currently has 19 tea processing factories, while more than 59,000 households are engaged in tea farming.

Researchers attending the meeting were encouraged to develop evidence-based solutions that can help the country achieve its production, value addition, and export targets.