Rwanda’s specialty coffee has reached a new price record, with a single lot selling for $452 per kilogram at the Best of Rwanda 2026 online auction, according to the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB).
The auction, announced on October 22, featured 31 selected coffee lots and attracted international buyers from Europe, Asia, the United States and Africa. NAEB said the highest price was 66 times the average international market price for Rwandan coffee exports.
The record-setting lot belonged to K-Organics Ltd, whose owner, Evariste Karangwa, said the achievement would support further investment in quality coffee farming and improve community livelihoods.
The 31 lots were selected from 320 entries sourced across Rwanda following three rounds of sensory evaluation by national and international jurors.
“This achievement demonstrates the potential of collaboration among producers, exporters, partners and other stakeholders in advancing quality, traceability and sustainability,” said Claude Bizimana, NAEB’s chief executive officer.
The Best of Rwanda National Specialty Coffee Competition is an annual initiative aimed at showcasing high-quality coffee produced by smallholder farmers, increasing its visibility and expanding access to international markets.
NAEB said the competition and auction support Rwanda’s ambition to strengthen its position in the global specialty coffee market, increase export earnings and create greater opportunities for farmers.
