2005 Summary

In 2005, total coffee production was 18,000 tons. This represents a 38% drop from 2004, primarily due to insufficient rains during the flowering season (September through December).

However, reflecting the push toward higher quality, the production of fully washed coffee rose to 1100 tons, an increase of 400 tons from 2004. In 2005, 46 washing stations were producing, up from 12 stations in 2004.

Ultimately, despite the decreased total production, the value of the 2005 crop rose to $USD 38.25 million. This was due to overall increases in the market prices for coffee (refer to Export Trends).

2008 Projections

By 2008, the government is planning to have 240 washing stations in operation (more than 5 times today's number), producing 35,000 tons of fully washed coffee per year (up from 1,110 tons today).

It is estimated that the total production of green coffee will be 35,000 tons (meaning that all coffee will need to be fully washed), bringing expected coffee receipts to a total of ~$100M. These predictions suggest a rapid increase in production volumes as well as a rapid transition towards specialty coffee, and will therefore require measures that will both increase production and improve the quality of coffee exported.

Growth of Quality

Rwanda is working to bring its total crop to the fully-washed level of quality by 2008. The chart below shows the growth in quality since 1995, with the standard commodity grade (yellow) overtaking ordinary grade (purple) from 1998 through 2005, and fully-washed (red) projected to grow to 100% of total production (gray) by 2008 as the commodity grades decline to zero.

At the same time, Rwanda is instituting training programs and putting cupping labs in place to develop the skills needed to bring its fully washed crops up to specialty grade.

Export Trends
Low commodity prices have diminished coffee's contribution to Rwanda's economy. The move to specialty grade is Rwanda's core strategy to insulate itself from the fluctuations of the commodity market.

Farming Practices

Cultivar Replacement. A cultivar replacement program of old varieties begins in 2005. Traditional Bourbon (Mibirizi) will be replaced with more productive new varieties (POP 3303/21, Harrar, BM 139 and BM 71) whose productivity are respectively 2.78, 2.09 and 1 ton/ha. The Jackson 2/1257 variety (0.98 ton/ha) will also be used mostly in high altitude regions because of its tolerance to Coffee Berry Disease (CBD). Ruiru II will also be distributed. By 2008, 11 million old trees will be replaced, and 44 million new trees will be planted.

Inputs. Fertilizers and pesticides will increase over the next 3 years, in an effort to address the issue of soil depletion. At the same time, research programs are underway to explore sustainable and organic methods.

Certifications. As of 2005, 2 cooperatives have acquired Fair Trade certification. This number is expected to increase. OCIR-CAFE is also undertaking research into Organic certification.

Cupper Training