Rwanda’s first quarter earnings from coffee this year has doubled according to claims by the countries National Agricultural Export Board, which is great news compared with last years decline in 2012. Rwanda relies heavily for its export of both coffee and tea for revenue and this years rise is undoubtedly good news for this land locked East African country that has seen more than its fair share of problems in recent times.

Coffee production in Rwanda was originally developed by the Belgium Colonial administration during the 1930′s and was introduced to make use of the cheap labor and generate revenue from the taxes on exports. Whilst the original plantations produced a somewhat inferior coffee a decision to invest and target the upper end of the market a decade ago really seems to be paying off.

Areas of the Lake Kivu region of Rwanda have a near perfect climate for growing Arabica, having a well irrigated rich volcanic soil, which produces a high quality coffee with a distinctive fruity flavor. Many of the coffee farms can be found the the hilly mountain slopes and many of the best produce coffee for the organic consumers.

Rwanda coffee is growing in popularity, which the rise so far this year demonstrates and with exports predicted to hit 26000 metric tons this year that’s got to be good news for lovers of Rwanda Arabica even though prices have been on the increase too!