Uganda coffee exports hit record high with nearly US$2B earned in 12 months
Uganda’s coffee sector sees a historic boost in export volume and value, driven by strong harvests and global price surges.
UGANDA – Uganda’s coffee industry has recorded its best performance in history, earning US$1.97 billion from 7.17 million 60-kg bags exported between May 2024 and April 2025, according to the latest report from the Ministry of Agriculture’s Coffee Development Department.
This represents a 21.7% increase in quantity and an impressive 94.64% rise in value compared to the 5.90 million bags worth US$1.01 billion exported during the same period a year earlier.
The gains were attributed to a combination of robust harvests, increased global demand, and higher international prices.
April 2025 alone saw a record monthly export of 694,318 bags, valued at US$214.38 million, reflecting a 77.44% rise in volume and a 152.56% jump in value over April 2024.
The report noted that the bumper crop in the Masaka and south-western regions played a key role in boosting April’s figures.
The surge in global coffee prices also contributed significantly, with the average export price for April reaching US$5.15 per kilogram, up from US$3.62 per kilogram a year ago.
Robusta coffee dominated Uganda’s coffee exports in April, accounting for 594,188 bags worth US$177.08 million, while Arabica exports totaled 100,130 bags, valued at US$37.3 million.
The Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) attributed the price increase to tightening global supply, worsened by dry weather conditions in leading producer countries such as Brazil and Vietnam.
Italy remained Uganda’s largest coffee market, taking 42.02% of April exports. It was followed by Germany (11.3%), Spain (7.46%), India (6.79%), and Sudan (4.72%). Overall, Europe accounted for 71% of Uganda’s coffee exports during the month.
Among exporters, Ugacof (U) Ltd led with a 12.58% market share, followed by Export Trading Company (7%), Ideal Quality Commodities (6.89%), and Olam Uganda (6.7%). The top ten exporters made up 68.43% of total shipments.
On the buyer side, Sucafina topped the list with a 12.67% share, ahead of Louis Dreyfus (8.61%), Olam International (7.13%), and Ecom Agro Industrialist (6.44%).
Looking ahead, UCDA projects 680,000 bags for May 2025, with harvests in Greater Masaka, the southwest, and the fly crop north of the equator expected to sustain strong export momentum.
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