Rwanda’s coffee industry reached a historic milestone on September 12, 2024, when a lot from NOVA Coffee Ltd sold for a record-breaking price in an online auction. The coffee, produced by the Gicumbi District-based company, was sold for an impressive $71.80 per kilo (approximately Rwf97,000), setting a new benchmark in Rwanda’s coffee history.
This sale price is fourteen times higher than the average market price for coffee, which typically falls outside the top 18 selections from the Best of Rwanda 2024 specialty coffee competition. The auction, organized by the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB), saw all 18 top coffee lots achieve unprecedented prices.
In total, more than 6,600 kilograms of coffee were auctioned, generating over $165,000 (approximately Rwf225 million). Buyers included international participants from Japan, Saudi Arabia, the United States, China, Greece, the United Kingdom, and Bulgaria.
NAEB highlighted that NOVA Coffee Ltd’s lot not only set a new record but also underscored the excellence of Rwandan coffee. Agnes Mukamushinja, the owner of NOVA Coffee Ltd, expressed her excitement and gratitude, noting the significant impact this achievement could have on her business and the broader coffee farming community.
“I am truly honored to have my coffee receive the highest bid. This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication we put into producing quality coffee,” Mukamushinja said. “This recognition will allow me to invest in coffee farming activities, ensuring even higher quality coffee in the future and improving my community’s livelihood through coffee.”
The Best of Rwanda Specialty Coffee Competition, now in its inaugural year, aimed to identify and showcase the finest coffees from across the country. The 18 coffees featured in the auction were selected from a pool of 297 lots, having undergone three rounds of cupping by both national and international judges.
NAEB emphasized that this success not only highlights Rwanda’s coffee quality but also contributes significantly to the well-being of local farmers. The revenues from these sales are expected to support investment in modern farming techniques, enhancing productivity and future coffee quality.
Claude Bizimana, NAEB’s CEO, noted, “Today’s achievement is a reminder of the potential we hold when we work together as actors in the coffee value chain—producers, exporters, and consumers. Each bid is not just a recognition of Rwanda’s best coffee but also an investment in the future of our coffee sector.”
The Best of Rwanda Coffee competition, organized annually by NAEB and its partners, aims to elevate the visibility and market access of coffee produced by smallholder farmers. This event and the subsequent auction reinforce Rwanda’s standing as a leading destination for specialty coffee.
NAEB remains committed to supporting farmers and expanding market opportunities, ensuring that Rwandan coffee continues to thrive on the global stage. Coffee is a vital component of Rwanda’s agricultural export sector, with the country exporting over 20,000 tonnes of coffee in the 2022/2023 fiscal year, generating $115.9 million (approximately Rwf147 billion). This represents a 53.39 percent increase in coffee revenues from the previous year, highlighting coffee’s significant role in Rwanda’s agricultural export earnings, which totaled $857.2 million (approximately Rwf1 trillion).
You Might Be Interested In:
