The global financial woes caused Rwanda’s coffee prices to fall 23% in the last month. A pound of coffee is selling for $1.17 compared with $1.53 in the period before the turmoil.
 
Rwanda’s Coffee Marketing Board, OCIR CAFÉ said a lower harvest is also expected this year at 23,000 tonnes.

Prices in other regional coffee markets including Kenya and Burundi have also been affected.

About 20 percent of Rwanda's coffee is exported to the United States, and the country is beefing up production of specialty coffee to secure premium earnings.  Rwanda is emerging as top producer of specialty coffee, currently putting out some of the world’s top grades.

A contributing factor to the country’s revered quality of coffees is the rich volcanic soils and high-altitude areas Rwandan small-scale farmers plant their crop.