About Rwanda

Known as the “Land of a Thousand Hills” or “Land of Gorillas in the Mist”, Rwanda is less than half the size of Scotland, but with three million more inhabitants.

It’s tucked deep within the heart of Africa, over 1,500 kilometres away from the nearest sea port. Into this tiny frame it packs mountains, volcanoes, rivers, lakes, marshes, savannah and forests, including Nyungwe, the largest remaining single tract of montane forest in East and Central Africa.

Within a single day’s driving, the wildlife of Rwanda switches from savannah to mountain and forest species. The thickly forested slopes are one of the last remaining sanctuaries of the mountain gorillas and the plains of Akagera National Park are home to giraffe, buffalo and elephant.

The population density in Rwanda is very high and as a result much of the country is cultivated, and the terraced hillsides have been compared to those in Nepal or the Phillipines.

Like many other countries in the region, Rwanda’s economy is largely agriculturally based, dominated by coffee which accounts for 75% of export income. Other principal food crops include plantain, , sweet potato, beans, cassava, sorghum and maize.

Rwanda Coffee

Type of coffee: Arabica, Robusta
Volume (2014/15 In thousand 60kg bags): 257
Growing areas: Country wide
Marketing system: Direct sale
Processing: Wet processing
Harvest season: March – June: Arabica
May – June: Robusta
Port of shipment: Mombasa, Dar-es-Salaam
Export destinations: Germany, Belgium, USA, France (Arabica), Great Britain, Switzerland (Robusta)

Did you know…?

Mild & Hard Arabica from Rwanda is smooth, full bodied with bright acidity. The best known coffee from Rwanda is Maraba Arabica, reviewed as outstandingly sweet and zesty.

AFCA Chapter

Chairman:

Mr. ALEXIS NKURUZINZA
National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB)
KK 530 St, Kigali, Rwanda,
Phone: +250 788 544 109

Email: n.alexis@naeb.gov.rw