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UGX6.7 trillion earned from coffee exports in 12 months

Peter 2nd May, 2025 Agriculture Pedson Mumbere
UGX6.7 trillion earned from coffee exports in 12 months

Coffee continues to be an important pillar of Uganda's economy. FILE PHOTO


Uganda has recorded its highest-ever annual revenue from coffee exports, earning UGX6.7 trillion (US$1.84 billion) from 6.87 million 60-kilogram bags between April 2024 and March 2025.

According to the latest report published by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, this marks a 14.86% increase in volume and a staggering 84.12% rise in value compared to the previous year, when the country exported 5.99 million bags worth US$ 999.48 million.

The strong performance was driven by a robust export showing in March 2025, when the country shipped 642,981 bags valued at UGX727.86 billion (US$ 198.62 million).

  • Of these, 525,220 bags were Robusta coffee earning US$ 155.53 million, while Arabica exports contributed 117,761 bags worth US$ 43.09 million. Compared to the same month last year, this represented a 92.19% increase in volume and 202.52% in value.

Robusta exports jumped by 111.39% in quantity and 233.40% in value, while Arabica rose by 36.79% and 126.73%, respectively.

The Ministry attributes the growth in exports to a good harvest and favorable global market conditions.

  • Dry weather in Brazil and Vietnam key producers of Arabica and Robusta has created uncertainty in global supply chains, pushing international coffee prices to new highs.

Uganda’s average export price in March stood at US$ 5.15 per kilogram, 12 cents higher than in February and US$ 1.88 above the March 2024 price of US$ 3.27.

Robusta coffee averaged US$ 4.94 per kilo, with Washed Robusta fetching the highest price at US$ 5.65 per kilo, followed closely by Screen 14 Fair Trade Organic at US$ 5.63. However, the share of sustainable or washed Robusta in total exports dipped slightly to 0.38% from 0.44% in January.

Arabica coffee fetched a higher average price of US$ 6.10 per kilo, up from US$ 5.06 in February. The premium Mt. Elgon A+ variety sold for as much as US$ 7.55 per kilo, followed by Rwenzori CPB at US$ 7.26 and Drugar at US$ 6.67.

Drugar made up 39% of total Arabica exports, rising from 21% the previous month. Sustainable Arabica exports accounted for 10%, up from 9% in February.

  • Ugacof (U) Ltd maintained its position as Uganda’s topmost coffee exporter, with a 12.35% market share, slightly down from 12.96% in February.
  • Other key exporters included Olam Uganda Ltd at 7.67%, Ideal Quality Commodities Ltd at 7.43%, Export Trading Company (U) Ltd at 6.86%, and JKCC at 6.40%.

They were followed by Louis Dreyfus (U) Ltd at 6.15%, Jber Coffee Ltd at 6.08%, Kyagalanyi Coffee Ltd at 5.90%, Kawacom (U) Ltd at 5.11%, and Ibero (U) Ltd at 4.33%.

Together, these top ten exporters controlled 68% of the market slightly less than the 71% recorded in February signalling growing competition in the sector. Of the 80 exporters who shipped coffee in March, 37 traded only in Robusta, 17 focused exclusively on Arabica, while the rest handled both types.

This milestone solidifies Uganda’s position as Africa’s top coffee exporter by volume and highlights coffee’s increasing importance as a pillar of the national economy.

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