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Rwanda's fruit exports grow 61% in 2023/2024, driven by avocado demand

Rwanda experienced a notable expansion in its fruit export sector during the 2023/2024 fiscal year, with official figures indicating a 61% increase in revenue to $30.6 million, up from $19 million in the preceding period. This data, detailed in the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources' latest report, highlights a 58% surge in export volume, totaling over 34,700 tons.

The increment in fruit exports was complemented by a slight uptick in average prices, from $0.86 to $0.88 per kilogram. Key markets for these exports included the DR Congo, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Vietnam. Sada Gakuru, Managing Director of S&I Fresh Ltd, underscored the growth within the sector, particularly in avocado exports, which escalated from two to three tons weekly in 2021 to 15-20 tons in the 2023/2024 period. This growth is attributed to the rising demand for avocados, fueled by a global shift towards healthier diets.

Contributing factors to this sector's growth, as outlined by Jean Bosco Mulindi, Emerging Commodities Division Manager at the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB), include governmental and partner support for farmers in expanding fruit production areas and diversifying markets, particularly into the EU, which offers higher prices. Rwandan fruits, known for their quality, have seen increasing demand in international markets, focusing on commodities such as fresh avocados, macadamia nuts, passion fruits, and strawberries, alongside processed products like juices.

The government's commitment to the sector's growth involves modernizing farming practices, establishing large-scale production hubs, and improving post-harvest handling and transportation facilities. This strategy aims to enhance market diversification and sustain the upward trajectory of Rwanda's fruit export sector.

Source: The New Times

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