Rwanda is set launch sea freight shipment for avocado for the first time.
The National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB) said the move aims to meet the rising demand of avocado and also serve as alternative mode of transportation following current challenges experienced such as expensive airfreights, fragile and unreliable airfreights, and unavailable air transport systems, especially during holiday peak seasons.
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The first shipment of containers carrying 23 Metric tons will head to Dubai. The agriculture exports body also will launch sea freight shipment alternatives, diverting from airfreight, in order to seek a long-term business partnership with international buyers.
Avocado market
“The avocado market is evolving towards more sustainable and therefore, needs cost-effective transportation chains including sea freight. In the current production, Rwanda exports 200-250Metric tons of avocados per month. This is primarily for the UAE,” said the authority.
Avocado market in the country is further expected to increase in the near future. Through mass avocado production, several exporters have planted big areas which are coming into production in 2023. Therefore, it is expected that approximately 200+ hectares will come into production in the coming years, almost doubling the avocado production in Rwanda. The Hass and Fuerte types are the most popular in Rwanda.
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According to NAEB in last five years, avocado export volumes from Rwanda increased from 105.4 Metric Tons (2016/2017) to 2,765 Metric tons (2021/2022) while revenues increased from $37,155 (2016/2017) to $4,533,801 (2021/2022).
