Rwanda has emerged as Kenya’s largest source of imported coffee, overtaking Uganda in a regional trade shift that highlights Kigali’s growing strength in the specialty coffee market. New trade data from Kenya’s Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) shows that Rwanda supplied the biggest share of coffee imported into Kenya during the quarter ending September 2025, accounting for 43 percent of total imports. The milestone reflects Rwanda’s steady rise as a trusted producer of premium, traceable beans, increasingly sought after by Kenyan roasters and exporters. Rwandan coffee on high demand in

Rwanda has emerged as Kenya’s largest source of imported coffee, overtaking Uganda in a regional trade shift that highlights Kigali’s growing strength in the specialty coffee market. New trade data from Kenya’s Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) shows that Rwanda supplied the biggest share of coffee imported into Kenya during the quarter ending September 2025, accounting for 43 percent of total imports. The milestone reflects Rwanda’s steady rise as a trusted producer of premium, traceable beans, increasingly sought after by Kenyan roasters and exporters.

Rwandan coffee on high demand in the region

Uganda’s Drop Opens the Door

The change comes as Uganda’s coffee sales to Kenya recorded a sharp fall over the same period. Export earnings from Uganda dropped from $1.13 million to $0.48 million, despite an increase in average prices per unit. Analysts say the decline points to shifting demand, with buyers placing more emphasis on quality and sustainability rather than volume.

Higher Value, Not Higher Volume

Kenya’s coffee import market is also showing signs of transformation.While import volumes dipped slightly by 2.9 percent, the overall value of imported coffee rose by 11.8 percent to $1.64 million, suggesting a move away from bulk coffee toward higher-priced specialty beans. Rwanda appears to be one of the main beneficiaries of that transition.

Rwanda’s Coffee Strategy Paying Off

Rwanda’s coffee sector has undergone major reforms and investment over the past two decades, focusing on value addition rather than raw production. The country’s progress has been supported by: •Modern coffee washing stations •Strong farmer cooperative networks •Strict quality-control systems

A national push for fully washed Arabica exports

These measures have helped Rwandan coffee build a strong reputation across regional and international markets.

Major Export Earner for Rwanda

According to the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB), Rwanda exports between 20,000 and 23,000 tonnes of coffee each year, earning around $90 million to $100 million in foreign exchange. Coffee remains one of Rwanda’s top agricultural exports and supports livelihoods for more than 400,000 smallholder farmers nationwide.

Kenya’s Imports Support Blending and Re-Export

Although Kenya is a major coffee producer itself, it imports beans mainly for blending, roasting, and re-export, maintaining its role as a regional processing hub.

The quality of Rwandan coffee attracting many buyers

On the global market, Kenyan coffee continues to attract premium buyers, with destinations like Singapore paying some of the highest prices  around KSh72,242 ($560) per 50kg bag.

A Growing Regional Coffee Power

Rwanda’s position as Kenya’s top coffee supplier signals the success of long-term policies centred on quality, sustainability, and market competitiveness. As East Africa’s coffee trade increasingly shifts toward specialty-grade production, Rwanda’s influence in the regional supply chain is expected to keep expanding.

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