Rwanda’s revenues from fruit exports increased by 82.5 per cent to $34.7 million (over Rwf52.6 billion) in the fiscal year 2023/2024, a new report shows. The country had reported $19 million in fruit export revenues in the previous year. According to the Statistical Year Book 2024 by the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda, published on December 31, more than 10 fruit varieties and related products contributed to the achieved export performance, with avocados generating one third of the revenues. Avocado exports rose by nearly 74 per cent in the 2023/2024 fiscal year, reaching slightly over $11 million (approx. Rwf15 billion), a new report shows. The country had reported $6.3 million (approx. Rwf8.6 billion) in revenues from avocado exports in the previous fiscal year. ALSO READ: Rwanda flags off first Fuerte avocado variety shipment by sea The report cited data from the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB). Avocado, which are considered one of the country’s relatively new export commodities by NAEB, have seen an increasing trend in volumes and revenue, with the latest revenue figure implying a 13-fold increase compared to $840,570 earned in 2019/2020, as per data contained in the publication. ALSO READ: Rwanda horticulture export prospects high with UAE deal Rwanda’s fruit exports have been on the rise over the last four fiscal years – having gone up from just over $7.7 million in 2020/2021 to $14.6 million in 2021/2022, before achieving even higher performance in subsequent years. Some of the other fruit varieties that lead to the 2024 increase include oranges and other similar products, which contributed $3.9 million, ripe bananas over $ 1.6 million, and mangoes over $1.5 million. Rwanda has been putting efforts in expanding markets for its horticulture products including securing new buyers for avocados in countries such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and participation in international exhibitions.
