RwandAir resumes Dubai, Doha flights, restoring horticulture export link for avocados
However, the resumption of flights does not resolve all challenges facing exporters.
RWANDA – RwandAir has resumed flights to Dubai and Doha, restoring air connectivity for Rwanda’s horticulture sector after a three-month suspension that disrupted perishable exports, including avocados.
Exporters faced disruptions that affected product movement, customer relationships, cash flow, and market access, with some produce redirected to domestic markets or sold at lower prices.
Air Connectivity and Export Competitiveness
Air connectivity remains a key element of Rwanda’s strategy to expand high-value agricultural exports. For products where freshness and delivery times affect market returns, access to cargo capacity is crucial to maintaining competitiveness.
Therefore, the return of flights provides exporters with renewed access to buyers in the Middle East and may help reduce losses at the farm level while supporting trade activity across the supply chain.
For fresh produce exporters and logistics operators, the resumption of belly-hold cargo capacity on RwandAir’s Middle East routes enables the timely delivery of avocados, chillies, and other horticultural products to Gulf markets. Prior to the suspension, these routes provided predictable weekly capacity for temperature-sensitive shipments.
Persistent Challenges and Coordination Strategies
However, the resumption of flights does not resolve all challenges facing exporters. Higher freight costs, limited cargo space, competition from other supplying countries, and uncertain demand continue to affect trade.
During the suspension period, some buyers may have sourced products from alternative origins, requiring Rwandan exporters to rebuild commercial relationships.
Industry participants are expected to focus on re-establishing commercial relationships, maintaining consistent supply, and rebuilding market presence.
Market Diversification and Value-Added Processing
The disruption has also reignited debate over market diversification. While the Middle East remains an important destination, exporters are exploring opportunities in other regions, including Africa, Europe, and Asia, and are continuing to develop regional sales channels.
The sector is also placing greater emphasis on value-added products. Processing options such as avocado oil can extend shelf life and provide an alternative to fresh exports, thereby reducing exposure to transport disruptions and market volatility.
Therefore, the resumption of RwandAir’s flights to the Middle East restores a critical logistics link for Rwanda’s horticultural exporters.
Additionally, the disruption has prompted the industry to pursue more resilient, coordinated logistics strategies and to rebuild commercial relationships with Gulf buyers.
Lastly, the sector is now focused on balancing the restoration of air connectivity with long-term investments in market diversification and value-added production to withstand future disruptions.
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