Tazeen Akhtar
Tea and Coffee are two weaknesses of Pakistanis as a must part of their daily routine life. Pakistan imported $9.67 Million worth of coffee in 2023 . Pakistan spends $650 Million annually on import of tea. The level of import for coffee is expected to cross tea in few years and Rwanda High Commission is active to get maximum share of the market for its best quality, high altitude coffee.
Different countries are introducing their tea and coffee in Pakistani market. Pakistan imports most of the tea from Kenya. Sri Lanka is also a players but her share is not as much as to mention. Ethiopia is promoting her coffee since when the embassy has been opened in Islamabad couple of years ago.
The High Commission of Rwanda in Pakistan is also in the race now with fine coffee from their country. The H.C, in partnership with the National Board for Agricultural and Animal Export Development (NAEB), is organizing the Rwanda Coffee Festival 2026, an event aimed at promoting Rwandan coffee in the Pakistani market and stimulating trade and investment opportunities in the sector.
The staff of the high commission have worked hard day and night selflessly during last week for arrangements and to make this first festival of Rwanda a big success. The High Commissioner herself spent long hours at her office to oversee the matters herself.
- Varietal: 95% is Bourbon, known for high quality and sweet, complex, rich flavors.
- Growing Regions: Key areas include the Virunga Mountains, Kivu, Kizi Rift, Muhazi, and Akagera.
- Taste Profile: Characterized by bright acidity, silky body, and distinct fruity or floral notes.
- Harvest & Processing: Harvested from March to July; mostly hand-picked and washed at local stations to ensure quality.
- Smallholder Focus: Cultivation is in the hands of about 450,000 small farmers, not large estates.
- Roast: Medium or light roasts are preferred to highlight the delicate flavors.
- Methods: Ideal for cafetieres, filter coffee, and pourover methods.
- Top Brands: Silverback Coffee of Rwanda, Rwanda Bean Coffee, Rwanda Huye Coffee, Rwanda Sholi Coffee, Gorilla Coffee Rwanda, and Rwanda Isimbi Coffee.
- Support: Purchasing supports local farming communities.
- Awards: Rwandan beans consistently rank high in international “Best of the Best” competitions.
- Total Import Value (2023): Coffee imports were valued at $9.67 million, with the UAE being the largest source ($8.33M).
- Key Import Sources: The United Arab Emirates ($8.33M), Italy ($394k), Malaysia ($206k), Germany ($185k), and Canada ($166k) were the top suppliers in 2023.
- Types of Imports:
- Coffee Beans: Imports in 2023 included raw/unroasted beans, with significant imports from Brazil ($80.55K), Colombia ($45.44K), and Guatemala ($36.28K).
- Instant Coffee: Malaysia is the largest exporter of instant coffee to Pakistan, holding a 63.57% share of that specific market.
- Market Trends & Challenges: While the market is growing, particularly among urban youth, high import duties (42% to 53% for finished products) make it expensive, leading to a recent push for tariff reductions.
- Growth: The fastest-growing import origins between 2022 and 2023 were the UAE, the USA, and Canada.
