The Protocol on Inspection, Quarantine, and Sanitary Requirements, signed on Wednesday, November 12, will pave the way for Rwandan avocados to join the growing list of agricultural products already exported to China, a market of 1.4 billion consumers.
This development coincided with Rwanda's participation in the 8th edition of the China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, an event that has become a key platform for promoting trade, attracting investment, and promoting cultural exchange between the two countries.
Rwandan avocados, which have already gained strong demand in markets such as the Middle East, particularly the United Arab Emirates, are increasingly recognised as a major export crop alongside coffee and tea. The new protocol with China represents the next step in Rwanda's strategy to diversify export markets and reach new consumers.
Since Rwanda first appeared at the CIIE in 2018, the country has introduced a range of agricultural and processed products to the Chinese market, including coffee, tea, chili, natural honey, macadamia nuts, and handicrafts. Exports to China have grown significantly over this period, rising from US$35 million in 2019 to US$160.6 million in 2024.
'The protocol for the export of Rwanda's avocados to China will further broaden the variety of Rwandan products available to Chinese consumers,' the embassy said in a statement released on November 4, ahead of the expo.
China remains Rwanda's leading source of foreign direct investment, which reached US$460 million in 2024 across sectors such as manufacturing, real estate, agro-processing, and mining.
Meanwhile, Rwanda's avocado industry has shown remarkable growth, with exports generating US$6.3 million in 2023 compared to just US$440,000 in 2013. The country exported 3,200 tonnes of avocados at an average of US$2 per kilogram and aims to increase this to 31,000 tonnes by 2029, targeting new markets in China and India.
The new avocado trade protocol is expected to not only boost Rwanda's agricultural exports but also strengthen the country's economic ties with China, further deepening a partnership guided by the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
Wycliffe Nyamasege
