Novel Training for Avocado Exporters in Rwanda

In consultation with the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB), International Trade Centre identified avocado as a key horticultural product bearing the potential to generate more revenue for the country and for a considerable number of smallholder farmers.  Currently, Rwandan avocados are exported mostly to the European market. Last year, through NAEB, the Government of Rwanda supplied avocado seedlings to over 300 farmers as part of its efforts to expand the number of avocado trees in the country.

Within this framework, ITC under MARKUP convened a two-day workshop on ‘Improving Avocado Post-Harvest Management’. The training took place on 10-11 December 2020. This training was the first of its kind in Rwanda and it brought together 20 exporters of avocados from across the country. The goal of the session was to address product safety, process management and value chain improvements and equip SMEs and exporters with valuable skills for processes happening along the entire supply chain – from best agricultural practices to managerial skills.

Following this first session, selected SMEs are now being coached on better post-harvest and processing techniques to improve the overall quality of avocados. Quality systems improvement, preventing/overcoming challenges deteriorating the sector and analysing market trends in avocado supply chain will be among other key important lessons that would lead Rwandan exporters into a niche market in the near future.