Tea in packings ≤3 kg market in Rwanda

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2022, Rwanda's tea market volume grew from 31 073 t to 38 490 t. This expansion was primarily driven by the government's sustained focus on high-quality tea production, which led to increased international recognition and record-breaking prices at the Mombasa auction. Rwandan tea secured regional awards and achieved premium grades, reinforcing its reputation and supporting higher production levels.

After peaking in 2022, the market stabilized at around 38 182 t in 2023. The sector saw a significant new entry in 2024 with the commencement of operations at the Lipton Tea Factory, indicating continued investment and development within the industry. Tea exports remained robust, with key markets including Pakistan, the United Kingdom, and Egypt.

Production tea in packings ≤3 kg in Rwanda

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Rwanda held the 17th position globally in the production of tea in packings of 3 kg or less.

Top producers of tea in packings ≤3 kg, 2017-2020

World map of production of tea in packings ≤3 kg, 2017-2020

In 2020, Rwanda produced 33 645 tonnes of tea in packings of 3 kg or less, representing a 10.5% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 20.6%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 6.5%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 2.0%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 11.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Rwanda in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports tea in packings ≤3 kg from Rwanda

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a staggering 10 059-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Rwanda's export volume of tea in packings of 3 kg or less totaled 804.8 tonnes, marking an extraordinary year-on-year increase of 796 686.9%. The most substantial decline was observed in 2019, at 92.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Rwanda in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Kenya and the United Kingdom dominated the country ranking for exports in kind, together accounting for 99.7% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Rwanda in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Market behavior during these years was characterized by volatility. The minimum value was recorded in 2019, while the maximum occurred in 2020, showing a 7 312-fold variation. In 2020, Rwanda's export value of tea in packings of 3 kg or less amounted to 2 020 thousand US dollars, reflecting a sharp increase of 731 056.0% compared to the previous year. The lowest value was 0.3 thousand US dollars in 2019, and the largest decline was 96.8% in that same year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Rwanda in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017–2020, Kenya and the United Kingdom were the key markets for exports in value terms, with shares of 87.5% and 12.0% respectively, together making up 99.5% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Rwanda in value, 2017-2020

Imports tea in packings ≤3 kg to Rwanda

Imports in kind, t

Noticeable fluctuations marked market performance during this period. Import volumes dropped to their minimum in 2018 and climbed to their maximum in 2020, representing a 21-fold shift. In 2020, Rwanda imported 134.5 tonnes of tea in packings of 3 kg or less, indicating a sharp rise of 284.8% relative to the prior year. The lowest value was 6.5 tonnes in 2018, with the largest decline of 22.5% occurring that year. The most significant increase was recorded in 2019 at 435.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Rwanda in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Tanzania was the primary supplier of tea in packings of 3 kg or less to Rwanda, capturing 72.2% of total imports in kind, while other partners had relatively modest shares.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Rwanda in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized market behavior during these years. The minimum value was observed in 2018, and the maximum in 2020, with a 9.7-fold variation between them. In 2020, Rwanda's import value of tea in packings of 3 kg or less totaled 154 thousand US dollars, equivalent to a dramatic increase of 85.0% year-on-year. The lowest value was 16 thousand US dollars in 2018, and the largest decline was 1.2% in that same year. The most substantial increase occurred in 2019 at 425.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Rwanda in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2017–2020, Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya were the largest suppliers of tea in packings of 3 kg or less to Rwanda in value terms, with shares of 57.7%, 18.7%, and 6.5% respectively, together forming 82.9% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Rwanda in value, 2017-2020