Rwanda Government Eyes Organic Export Markets, Certification Costs a Hurdle

The government is looking to expand its share of the growing international market for organic agricultural products, but the high cost of certification remains a major obstacle for farmers, cooperatives and local producers seeking access to export markets. Organic certification is a key requirement for producers targeting markets such as Europe and the United States, where buyers demand proof that crops have been grown and processed according to recognised organic standards. For Dukunde Kawa Musasa, a coffee cooperative in Gakenke District, meeting those standards required three years of transition, repeated inspections and millions of francs in certification costs. The cooperative began the process of certifying its organic coffee for export in 2015 and obtained certification in 2018, giving it access to international buyers seeking certified organic coffee. Keep up with the latest headlines on WhatsApp | LinkedIn "To get certified, you have to allow your soil or land to recover from the use of chemical pesticides and industrial fertilisers," said Gilbert Muhire, who is in charge of operations at the cooperative. "It requires a transition period during which you use only organic fertilisers or manure. Samples of our soil and coffee were collected during the three years of transition and tested in laboratories to confirm that our coffee was organic." ALSO READ: Why Rwanda seeks to increase organic fertiliser production Muhire said compliance extends throughout the production chain, from individual farmers and coffee washing stations to the final product prepared for export. Because internationally recognised certification services are largely provided by foreign firms, the cooperative works with a French certification company whose approval is recognised in its main European market. "There are many international firms that audit and certify organic products. We work with a French firm because we have a large market in Europe and its certification is recognised there," Muhire said. The certification body conducts annual audits, collecting samples from coffee trees, cherries, soil and leaves and randomly inspecting cooperative members. About 15 per cent of the cooperative's farmers are inspected each year, with different farmers selected during subsequent audits. Muhire said the initial three-year transition and certification process cost between Rwf15 million and Rwf20 million. The cooperative started with 688 farmers and has since grown to 1,118 members, meaning certification expenses have also increased. "Every year, it costs us between $5,000 and $8,000, mainly for logistics related to certification. This is in addition to a $3,000 annual subscription fee to the auditing firm," he said. Despite the cost, Muhire said organic certification gives farmers access to premium markets where prices are higher. The cooperative initially exported about five containers of fully washed organic coffee and is now targeting 10 containers. "If a kilogramme of non-organic, fully washed coffee sells at $8, a kilogramme of organic coffee can sell for more than $10," he said. Muhire said organic farming can also improve soil health and productivity and, in some cases, enable farmers to harvest coffee more frequently. ALSO READ: Is organic farming more profitable than ordinary practises? Certification beyond reach for many farmers Lise Chantal Dusabe, Chief Executive Officer of the Rwanda Organic Agricultural Movement (ROAM), said Rwanda has thousands of farmers engaged in organic agriculture, but certification costs continue to restrict access to international markets. ROAM is an umbrella organisation for farmers, cooperatives and institutions involved in organic agriculture, agro-ecology and related activities. "We are working with about 12,000 farmers in cooperatives and associations practising organic farming. They have markets in Europe and America," Dusabe said. "However, certification is expensive because there are no local certification b