Rwanda taps into Poland for Coffee and Tea market expansion
Rwanda is expanding its reach in Europe’s specialty coffee and tea markets, with Poland becoming a key new partner. This milestone follows Rwanda’s participation in the 10th edition of the Coffee Europe Expo 2025, where Rwandan products received a strong reception from international buyers.
Despite being a first-time participant at the Expo, Rwanda was given a place of honor and recognized for its growing role in the global coffee& tea industry.
The event ran from May 27 to 29 and welcomed around 6,000 visitors from 15 countries. More than 100 exhibitors, including several Rwandan businesses, showcased premium Rwandan coffee and tea.
While the expo’s primary focus was coffee, Rwanda also presented its tea products, positioning Poland as a potential alternative to Russia — historically one of Rwanda’s top tea importers.
“Russia was a key buyer of Rwandan tea via the Mombasa auction. But due to the war in Ukraine, volumes have declined. We now see Poland as a country that could fill that gap.” Said Claude Bizimana, the Chief Executive Officer of NAEB.
Both coffee and tea from Rwanda were warmly received, signaling strong interest from Polish and Eastern European buyers. Although Rwandan coffee already has established markets, new export destinations often bring competitive pricing and better terms.
“What makes Poland stand out,” Bizimana explained, “is its interest in value-added coffee — roasted and packaged in Rwanda. This creates more jobs for our youth and keeps more value within the country.”
He also emphasized the broader importance of such international expos, which provide insights into regulatory requirements and market preferences, helping Rwanda refine its export strategy.
Rwandan exporters, including Rwanda Mountain Coffee and Baho Coffee, reported high levels of interest and demand, especially for innovative offerings such as coffee capsules. Poland was also recognized as a promising alternative for tea exports, filling a gap left by reduced shipments to Russia.
Michael Wyroslak, a long-time importer of Rwandan coffee in Poland, noted the market’s evolving appreciation for Rwanda’s unique coffee profile. The continued growth in both volume and quality of Rwandan exports underscores the sector’s bright future in Europe.
The participation of Rwandan businesses in such international platforms reflects the country’s strategic approach to expanding high-value agricultural exports and positioning itself competitively in global markets.
Click here for the video highlights of the Expo.
Rwanda taps into Poland for Coffee and Tea market expansion
Rwanda is expanding its reach in Europe’s specialty coffee and tea markets, with Poland becoming a key new partner. This milestone follows Rwanda’s participation in the 10th edition of the Coffee Europe Expo 2025, where Rwandan products received a strong reception from international buyers.
Despite being a first-time participant at the Expo, Rwanda was given a place of honor and recognized for its growing role in the global coffee& tea industry.
The event ran from May 27 to 29 and welcomed around 6,000 visitors from 15 countries. More than 100 exhibitors, including several Rwandan businesses, showcased premium Rwandan coffee and tea.
While the expo’s primary focus was coffee, Rwanda also presented its tea products, positioning Poland as a potential alternative to Russia — historically one of Rwanda’s top tea importers.
“Russia was a key buyer of Rwandan tea via the Mombasa auction. But due to the war in Ukraine, volumes have declined. We now see Poland as a country that could fill that gap.” Said Claude Bizimana, the Chief Executive Officer of NAEB.
Both coffee and tea from Rwanda were warmly received, signaling strong interest from Polish and Eastern European buyers. Although Rwandan coffee already has established markets, new export destinations often bring competitive pricing and better terms.
“What makes Poland stand out,” Bizimana explained, “is its interest in value-added coffee — roasted and packaged in Rwanda. This creates more jobs for our youth and keeps more value within the country.”
He also emphasized the broader importance of such international expos, which provide insights into regulatory requirements and market preferences, helping Rwanda refine its export strategy.
Rwandan exporters, including Rwanda Mountain Coffee and Baho Coffee, reported high levels of interest and demand, especially for innovative offerings such as coffee capsules. Poland was also recognized as a promising alternative for tea exports, filling a gap left by reduced shipments to Russia.
Michael Wyroslak, a long-time importer of Rwandan coffee in Poland, noted the market’s evolving appreciation for Rwanda’s unique coffee profile. The continued growth in both volume and quality of Rwandan exports underscores the sector’s bright future in Europe.
The participation of Rwandan businesses in such international platforms reflects the country’s strategic approach to expanding high-value agricultural exports and positioning itself competitively in global markets.
Click here for the video highlights of the Expo.
