Tea market in Rwanda

Earlier Report Observations

The Rwandan tea market demonstrated initial stability in physical volume, maintaining around 103-104 thousand tons annually from 2018 to 2020. This period was underpinned by a structured industrial base of 16 processing factories and a production boost in early 2018 due to favorable weather conditions. A dip in market value in 2019 coincided with a 5% drop in export earnings, attributed to competitive pricing and a sectoral shift towards new trade agreements for crops like chili peppers. The market's resilience was evident in 2020 as the tea sector was largely spared from COVID-19 disruptions, with continuous processing operations ensuring stable domestic supply.

Market growth accelerated from 2021, with volume rising to 111 thousand tons that year. This turnaround was supported by a recovery in tea exports to $96.7 million, driven by product requalification and renewed international demand. The expansion continued through 2022 and 2023, with market volume reaching 138 thousand tons and value $395 million. By the end of the period, the industry had strengthened its competitiveness through the widespread adoption of international certifications like Rainforest Alliance and ISO 22000, and expanded its processing capacity with 15 private factories, diversifying into premium black, green, and white tea segments.

Production tea in Rwanda

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

On a global scale, Rwanda ranked as the 14th largest producer of tea between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of tea, 2017-2020

World map of production of tea, 2017-2020

In 2020, Rwanda produced 140.0 K t of tea, marking a moderate year-over-year increase of 4.2%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 15.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 0.5%, while the most significant increase was recorded in 2018, at 11.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output of tea in Rwanda was valued at 395.3 M $ US, reflecting a 5.7% year-over-year increase. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 373.8 M $ US, and the maximum value was reached in 2018 at 396.2 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 5.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Rwanda in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports tea from Rwanda

Exports in kind, t

Rwanda's volume of tea exports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports stood at 37 033 t, showing a strong year-over-year gain of 18.9%. Between 2017 and 2020, exports rose by 41.1%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 12.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Rwanda's tea exports in kind were Pakistan (accounting for 41.6% of exports), the United Kingdom (15.7%), and Kazakhstan (8.0%). Together, these three countries represented 65.3% of total export 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, M $ US

In 2020, tea deliveries from Rwanda amounted to 104.6 M $ US, reflecting a 20.6% advance compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 24.4%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.5%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, at 4.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the primary destinations for Rwanda's tea exports in value terms were Pakistan (41.8% of exports), the United Kingdom (15.6%), and Kazakhstan (8.0%). This group accounted for a combined share of 65.4% of total export 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 to Rwanda

Imports in kind, t

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 171 t and peaked in 2018 at 388 t, with a 2.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Rwanda's tea imports were recorded at 311 t, up by 81.3% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 55.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Uganda and Tanzania played the leading roles in Rwanda's tea imports in kind, with a combined share of 83.1% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among other countries.

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, M $ US

In 2020, Rwanda's tea imports totaled 0.4 M $ US, equivalent to a steep year-over-year increase of 30.8%. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 12.2%, equating to an annualized decline of 4.3%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 0.3 M $ US, and the maximum value was reached in 2018 at 0.5 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 43.0%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Uganda and Tanzania remained the primary suppliers of tea to Rwanda in value terms, with a combined share of 84.8% of total imports. Other countries accounted for the remainder.

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

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