Avocado News from Rwanda

From Orchard to Prosperity: The Avocado Boom Revolutionizing Rwanda’s Agriculture

Farmer’s Journal: January 16, 2024 Original article by Emmanuel Ntirenganya

Unleashing the Green Gold Rush

Avocados, once relegated to subsistence farming, have now emerged as Rwanda’s green gold. The demand for these creamy fruits on the international market far surpasses the available supply, reaching a staggering 30 to 40 percent deficit, according to Robert Rukundo, Managing Director of Almond Green Farm and Chairperson of Horticulture Exporters Association of Rwanda (HEAR).

“This is a major crop, which has registered higher growth in terms of performance, meaning that it is a moneymaking commodity. It is a tree you can plant and does not demand much care, but it gives you yield every season,” explains Rukundo, underlining the extraordinary financial potential of avocado farming.

Export-Grade Excellence: The Hass and Fuerte Connection

Not all avocado varieties cultivated in Rwanda meet export standards. According to NAEB, the Hass and Fuerte varieties stand out as the most popular choices for export. This strategic selection ensures that Rwanda’s avocados not only meet international quality requirements but also command competitive prices in global markets.

Global Avocado Outlook: A Fruitful Future

The global demand for avocados is on an upward trajectory, driven by health-conscious consumers seeking the fruit’s nutritional benefits. The International Trade Centre (ITC) estimates that global avocado imports were worth $7.1 billion in 2019. The United States and the European Union are expected to remain the main importers, with an estimated 40 percent and 31 percent of global imports, respectively, by 2030.

As Rwanda’s avocado industry continues to flourish, the journey from a simple crop to a cash cow signifies not just economic prosperity but also a sustainable future for generations to come. The avocado boom is a beacon of Rwanda’s agricultural success, proving that sometimes, the simplest crops can yield the most profitable results.

Ikonyk Hills Ltd. Managing Director Joins Peer Learning Trip in Kenya to Drive Innovation

In a bid to foster collaboration and share best practices between women smallholder farmers from Rwanda and Kenya within the agricultural sector, the Managing Director of Ikonyk Hills, recently participated in a peer learning trip organized by ITC SheTrades. The initiative brought together executives from female-led agribusiness companies to exchange insights on good agricultural practices, operational efficiency,post-harvest and market growth strategies.

The trip featured visits to high-performing farms and processing facilities, offering participants a firsthand look at innovative techniques in crop management, value addition, and export logistics. For Ikonyk Hills Ltd, the experience was an opportunity to benchmark against global standards and explore new approaches to enhance the company’s avocado production and future supply chain.

"This trip was a life-changing experience". "It allowed us to learn from others’ successes and challenges, ensuring we remain competitive while delivering quality products to our customers."

The event also included interactive sessions on climate-smart agriculture, post-harvest transformation, and access to markets—key areas that align with Ikonyk Hills’ commitment to enhancing production and marketing. Ikonyk Hills Ltd. Is now enhancing Good Agricultural Practices to reinforce its vision of leading the avocado industry through innovation, knowledge sharing, and partnerships that benefit farmers, consumers, and the environment.

Ikonyk Hills Avocado Farm is a member of HEAR - Horticulture Exporters Association of Rwanda. HEAR was initiated in 2015 by 13 members and now consists of over 40 active members drawn from fruit, vegetable, and flower exporters to promote the interests of Rwandan Horticultural Exporters

Horticultural Export Association of Rwanda (HEAR)