Uganda coffee export earnings drop 8.2% in August despite higher volumes 

UGANDA – Uganda’s coffee export revenues fell 8.2% in August compared to the same month last year, undermined by weaker global prices, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF).  

Uganda, Africa’s largest coffee exporter earned US$202.8 million from shipments during the month. 

Volumes, however, rose 2.5% year-on-year to 855,441 60-kilogram bags, driven by “a good crop harvest in most coffee-growing regions,” MAAIF said. Coffee and gold remain Uganda’s top foreign exchange earners. 

Robusta coffee dominated the trade, with 797,363 bags valued at US$180.79 million (UGX 705.08 billion), while Arabica contributed 58,078 bags worth US$21.96 million (UGX 85.64 billion). Despite a decline in Robusta earnings, Arabica posted strong gains of 11.88% in volume and 63.96% in value compared to August 2024. 

The average export price dropped to US$3.95 per kilogram (UGX 15,405/kg) from US$4.19 in July and $4.41 a year earlier. MAAIF attributed weaker Robusta earnings to spillover effects from falling global prices in July. 

From September 2024 to August 2025, Uganda exported 7.93 million bags of coffee worth UGX 7.94 trillion (US$2.27B), compared with 6.73 million bags worth UGX 5 trillion (US$1.4B) the previous year. This represents annual growth of 17.88% in volume and 58.72% in value. 

At the farm-gate, prices were generally higher than in July. Robusta Kiboko averaged UGX 6,500/kg, Robusta FAQ UGX 13,500/kg, Arabica parchment UGX 14,500/kg, and Drugar UGX 13,500/kg, though Drugar prices fell slightly. 

Europe remained Uganda’s leading coffee destination, accounting for 62% of exports. Italy led with a 29.27% market share, followed by Sudan (13.13%) and Germany (10.02%). African countries imported 195,858 bags, or 23% of the total. 

Kyagalanyi Coffee Ltd topped the exporter rankings with an 8.73% market share, followed by Export Trading Company (8.61%) and Olam Uganda Ltd (8.26%). The top 10 exporters accounted for 64% of total shipments. 

MAAIF noted favorable weather in coffee-growing regions supported planting, pruning, and training programs. In August, 145 farmer trainings were held across 11 regions, reaching over 4,000 farmers.  

Uganda projects September 2025 exports at 750,000 bags as the main harvest begins in Central and Eastern regions. 

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