From July to November 2019, Rwandan tea production and export volumes recorded an increase of 12% and 4% respectively when compared to the same period of 2018. The first five months of the ongoing financial year also left Rwandan tea revenues at an increase of 8% compared to the previous year.  

A total volume of 12,017 Metric Tons of tea was produced from July to November 2019 higher than 10,769 Metric Tons produced in the same period of 2018.

Rwanda's total 'made tea' exports rose by 4 per cent, from 12,180 Metric Tons in 2018 to 12,617 Metric Tons in 2019. In the same period (from July to November) of 2018, the exported volumes amounted to US $ 36,088,761, an increase of 8%, from US $ 33,562,294 recorded in the previous year.

The good performance was driven by the expanded (newly producing) tea plantations, implementation of good practices in tea growing, as well as regular training for farmers, timely and appropriate application of fertilizers and good rains recorded in the tea growing zone in 2019.

The beverage is sold under the national brand, Rwanda Tea – A Natural Reawakening, which seeks to increase visibility of Rwandan teas and help make the sector more competitive.

Tea is one of the top foreign exchange earners for the country and is exported to more than 48 countries in Asia, Africa, the Americas, Europe and the Middle East