Rwanda Pushes for Increased Avocado Farming to Tap Growing Export Markets

The Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI) has called on Rwandan avocado farmers to increase production and improve the quality of existing orchards, citing the fruit’s high nutritional value and rapidly expanding global market demand.

This call was delivered during the Rwanda Avocado Symposium 2025, a two day event held in Kigali from December 11 to 12, organised by the Avocado Society of Rwanda (ASR) in partnership with MINAGRI. The symposium brought together more than 150 stakeholders including farmers, exporters, investors, researchers and development partners to discuss how to modernize Rwanda’s avocado value chain through technology, knowledge sharing and strengthened market linkages.

Growing Demand, Limited Supply

Experts and sector leaders highlighted that Rwanda currently produces two major categories of avocados: export grade varieties mainly Hass and Fuerte, which are highly demanded on international markets, and traditional “Inyarwanda” avocados, which are larger, have higher water content and spoil faster, making them unsuitable for long distance export but still valuable locally and for processing.

Pacifique Nshimiyimana, Chairperson of the Avocado Society of Rwanda, said both types have reliable markets.

He explained that the Hass and Fuerte varieties dominate Rwanda’s export markets because of their quality and long shelf life. However, even the traditional Inyarwanda varieties remain in demand, particularly in processing industries and in markets such as India.

Nshimiyimana emphasized that current production levels remain far below the demand.

He noted that Rwanda already exports to Europe and the Gulf countries, and recently gained access to the Chinese market. With China’s large population, he said meeting this new demand requires farmers to significantly scale up production.

Export prices continue to be attractive. In Dubai and other Gulf markets, a 4 kilogram box of avocados sells for between 10 and 12 US dollars, meaning a single 200 gram avocado can retail at around 3,000 Rwf once exported.

Farmers Reaping High Returns

Farmers attending the symposium shared testimonies about the growing profitability of avocado farming.

Antoine Niyigena, an avocado farmer in Kayonza District with 5 hectares and 2,000 trees, said the crop has become one of the most rewarding sources of income.

He explained that his farming group began with 250 trees on 70 ares in 2019 and has expanded to five hectares due to the strong market returns. He added that although production is still low compared to demand, farmers are rapidly expanding their plantations.

Government Expands Support to Boost Production

MINAGRI reaffirmed that avocado production is a national priority because it improves household nutrition and contributes significantly to national export revenues.

Alice Mukamugema, Director General of Agriculture Value Chain Management and Trade at MINAGRI, highlighted government initiatives to scale up production. She pointed to a government established 100000 tree avocado plantation in Kayonza, with plans for further expansion.

She encouraged farmers to take advantage of the available markets and to participate in programmes such as the five trees per household initiative, which includes avocados. She also urged financial institutions to work closely with farmers to support the sector’s growth.

Despite the promising opportunities, stakeholders identified ongoing challenges affecting productivity including insufficient irrigation infrastructure, limited road access to some plantations and inadequate farmer training on orchard management.

These constraints continue to limit Rwanda’s ability to meet fast growing international demand for avocados.

Infrastructure Gaps Still a Challenge

With new markets opening, especially in Asia, Rwanda aims to position avocados among its leading horticultural exports. MINAGRI and ASR emphasized the need to increase production, improve post harvest handling and strengthen farmer cooperatives as part of efforts to enhance competitiveness.

The Rwanda Avocado Symposium 2025 concluded with a call for all value chain actors from farmers to exporters to work together to increase production volumes and seize the growing global appetite for Rwandan avocados.