While the total value of all exports, including non-merchandise items, fell by 14.5 percent to USD 1,182.7 million, down from USD 1,382.7 million in the same period of 2024, the nation's core merchandise export earnings grew by 6.2 percent, reaching USD 826.0 million from USD 777.7 million.
This growth was driven by gains in traditional crops and manufactured goods, highlighting a healthy shift in Rwanda's export profile.
Traditional goods surge, manufacturing rises
Traditional exports, a cornerstone of the economy, led the momentum, with revenues increasing by 29.7 percent to USD 254.3 million, up from USD 196.2 million in the first half of 2024. These goods now account for 30.8 percent of total merchandise exports, up from 25.2 percent in the same period last year.
Coffee receipts soared by 159.1 percent, while mineral exports rose by 30.8 percent. These strong performances were supported by favourable weather and higher global commodity prices. Tea, however, recorded a 3.2 percent decline due to a 4.7 percent drop in unit prices, despite a modest 1.6 percent increase in volumes.
Non-traditional exports also gained traction, rising 22.7 percent to USD 212.2 million from USD 173.0 million, increasing their share of merchandise exports to 25.7 percent from 22.2 percent.
Imports and the widening deficit
Despite export gains, the overall merchandise trade deficit widened by 3.6 percent to USD 1,488.4 million, from USD 1,436.3 million in the first half of 2024, driven by a 4.5 percent increase in merchandise imports, which reached USD 2,314.3 million.
Rising imports reflect strong domestic demand for capital and intermediate goods. Consumer goods imports grew 18.9 percent in value and 12.6 percent in volume. Food imports rose 19.3 percent in value and 13.0 percent in volume, while non-food products increased 18.5 percent in value and 10.2 percent in volume.
Consequently, the export-to-import ratio fell to 45.3 percent, down from 49.1 percent, a 7.8 percent decline.
Re-exports fell by 17.6 percent to USD 277.4 million, reducing their share of total merchandise exports to 33.6 percent from 43.3 percent. Conversely, informal cross-border trade increased slightly to 9.9 percent, up from 9.2 percent.
Regional trade
Rwanda recorded strong performance within the East African Community (EAC). Formal exports to the EAC surged 30.4 percent to USD 155.1 million from USD 118.9 million, driven by growth to the Democratic Republic of Congo (up 72.9 percent) and Uganda (up 26.4 percent).
At the same time, imports from EAC countries contracted 28.9 percent to USD 545.5 million from USD 767.4 million, mainly due to sharp declines from Kenya (84.5 percent drop) and Tanzania (25.4 percent drop). As a result, Rwanda's trade deficit with the EAC narrowed by 39.8 percent, falling to USD 390.4 million from USD 648.6 million.
IGIHE
