The Government of Rwanda has dispatched 26 exporters to the United Kingdom to explore new markets for fruits and vegetables, as the country moves swiftly to cushion traders and farmers from losses triggered by disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict.
The intervention follows mounting setbacks among exporters who previously relied on Middle Eastern markets, where air transport disruptions and airport closures have halted cargo shipments. The shock has left traders unable to move produce, leading to significant financial losses and supply chain breakdowns.
Farmers and exporters say business was stable before the crisis, but the sudden suspension of key export routes has reversed gains. Avocado farmers, in particular, report dwindling demand as exporters struggle to access international buyers, leaving produce to perish on farms.
Bizimana Abel, an avocado farmer, said he had a consistent buyer who exported his produce abroad, but the arrangement collapsed after the conflict escalated. He now faces losses as his harvest goes unsold and begins to spoil.
Despite the ongoing challenges, exporters have welcomed the government’s intervention, describing it as timely and critical. Through the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB), authorities are facilitating market linkages in Europe, with the UK identified among priority destinations.
Marie Ange Claudine Ingabire, an exporter, noted that NAEB is actively supporting traders to penetrate European markets, offering a lifeline after the collapse of traditional export routes.
Industry players reveal that at least three companies had prepared to ship over 50 tonnes of avocados before the crisis, but the consignments were cancelled, resulting in heavy losses.
Janet Vivian Bisiima, Head of Export Market Development and Innovation at NAEB, said the disruption has exposed the risks of over-reliance on a single market. She emphasized that Rwanda is now accelerating diversification efforts while also promoting value addition—encouraging processing of avocados into oil before export to enhance resilience and earnings.
Within just two weeks of the conflict’s escalation, exporters had already incurred losses exceeding Rwf 100 million.
The UK remains a strategic export destination, accounting for between 30% and 40% of Rwanda’s horticultural exports, including French beans, avocados, and chili.
Rwanda’s export basket is largely dominated by agricultural commodities such as coffee, tea, fruits, and vegetables—key foreign exchange earners. According to the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda, the country generated over $2 billion from exports in 2025, underscoring the sector’s critical role in the economy.
