FAMReports | News Desk | Agriculture & Trade | June 2025 Edition
Uganda’s coffee industry has once again affirmed its role as the country’s most reliable foreign exchange earner, with the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) reporting a dramatic surge in export performance for April 2025.
According to MAAIF’s Monthly Coffee Report for April, Uganda exported a total of 694,318 60-kilogram bags, earning US$214.38 million, an equivalent of UShs 780.1 billion. This performance marks a substantial 77.44% increase in volume and 152.56% rise in export value compared to April 2024.
Robusta Leads the Export Surge
The bulk of the exports consisted of 594,188 bags of Robusta coffee, which earned Uganda US$177.08 million, while 100,130 bags of Arabica coffee brought in US$37.3 million. When compared to April 2024, Robusta exports grew by 104.63% in volume and 187.61% in value, reflecting an impressive demand surge. However, Arabica exports saw a slight decline of 0.8% in quantity, although their value increased significantly by 60%, thanks to favorable global pricing.
MAAIF attributed this stellar performance to a bountiful harvest in Masaka and the southwestern coffee-producing regions, supported by favorable climatic conditions during the main harvest season.
High Global Prices Drive Record Revenues
Uganda’s coffee boom comes amidst global supply uncertainties triggered by dry weather in Brazil and Vietnam, the world’s largest producers of Arabica and Robusta respectively. This disruption has caused a spike in international prices, benefitting exporting countries like Uganda.
The average export price in April stood at US$5.15 per kilogram, slightly higher than March’s US$5.14, and significantly higher than US$3.62 per kilogram recorded in April 2024.
For Robusta, the average price reached US$4.97, up by 5 cents from the previous month. The highest price was fetched by Screen 18 Robusta at US$5.33/kg, followed by Washed Robusta at US$5.31/kg. Notably, washed Robusta exports accounted for only 0.32% of total Robusta exports, down from 0.38% in March.
On the Arabica front, prices averaged US$6.21/kg, with Sustainable Arabica fetching the highest price at US$8.70/kg, followed by Bugisu C at US$7.81/kg. Drugar, which made up 55% of total Arabica exports, sold at US$6.54/kg, slightly lower than the previous month.
Strong Annual Performance
Over the twelve-month period from May 2024 to April 2025, Uganda exported 7.17 million bags, earning a total of US$1.97 billion (UShs7.16 trillion). This marked a 21.7% increase in volume and an astonishing 94.64% increase in export value compared to the same period the previous year.
Top Exporters and Market Share
The coffee export landscape continues to be dominated by a few key players. Ugacof (U) Ltd retained its lead as the top exporter with a market share of 12.58%, followed by Export Trading Company (7%), Ideal Quality Commodities Ltd (6.89%), and Olam Uganda Ltd (6.7%).
The top ten exporters collectively held a market share of 68.43%, slightly higher than the 68% recorded in March. Out of the 80 exporters, 32 dealt exclusively in Robusta while 12 specialized in Arabica, underlining the growing specialization in Uganda’s coffee industry.
Export Destinations: Europe Dominates
Italy remained Uganda’s largest coffee market, increasing its share to 42.02%, up from 38.43% in March. Other leading destinations included:
Germany (11.30%)
Spain (7.46%)
India (6.79%)
Sudan (4.72%)
Together, the top 10 destinations accounted for 87.26% of Uganda’s total coffee exports, reflecting a concentration in key markets.
European countries continue to dominate, importing 71% of Uganda’s coffee, up from 63% in March. Meanwhile, exports to African nations, including Sudan, Algeria, Morocco, Egypt, Kenya, and South Africa, totaled 76,467 bags, maintaining a consistent 11% market share.
Foreign Buyers and Global Trade Dynamics
In terms of international buyers, Sucafina led with a market share of 12.67%, followed by Louis Dreyfus (8.61%), Olam International (7.13%), and Ecom Agro Industrialist (6.44%). The top ten foreign buyers accounted for 55.48% of Uganda’s coffee exports, up from 52.64% in March.
Globally, coffee production for 2024/25 is projected to reach 174.9 million bags, up by 6.9 million from the previous year, driven by recovering output in Vietnam and Indonesia. However, this increase is expected to be offset by reduced shipments from Brazil, which is experiencing weather-related disruptions.
Global consumption is expected to climb to 168.1 million bags, with strong demand growth in the European Union, United States, and China. Ending stocks, however, are forecast to decline by 1.5 million bags, further tightening supply.
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Farmgate Prices and Local Impact
At the farm level, prices remained attractive despite slight declines. In April 2025, average farmgate prices were as follows:
Kiboko (Robusta dry cherries): UGX 7,000–7,400/kg
Robusta FAQ: UGX 14,500–15,000/kg
Arabica Parchment: UGX 14,500–15,000/kg
Drugar: UGX 14,000–14,500/kg
Compared to March, prices were marginally lower, but still profitable for most farmers, especially in Masaka and the southwest, where the bulk of the harvest was concentrated.
May 2025 Outlook
Looking ahead, MAAIF projects coffee exports for May 2025 to hit 680,000 bags, as the main harvest season continues in Masaka and southwest Uganda, while a fly crop north of the equator also contributes to the national output.
With strong global prices, expanding export destinations, and improved production, Uganda’s coffee sector is well-positioned for sustained growth.
FAMReports remains committed to delivering real-time agricultural insights that impact Uganda’s economy and livelihoods. Stay tuned for continued coverage of Uganda’s top export commodity.
