Coffee farmers in Elgon sub region decry low prices

GERALD MATEMBU

Coffee farmers in Mount Elgon subregion are counting losses following the tumbling of prices on the world market.

Exporters attribute the problem to world market dynamics warning that the price could drop further.

Coffee harvest time in Elgon sub region marks the peak of economic activity and the beginning of good times among rural communities.

"Coffee makes life easy for us. I have already cleared tuition for my son at Makerere University from coffee sales" said Wolukawu Atephene, a farmer and coffee dealer from Bumbo trading centre.

However, the new harvest season has been received with disappointment due to recent price cuts.

Farmers were taken by surprise as many expected a  better price compared to last season.

The price of premium parchment is now at Shs 4200 per kilogramme down from Shs 6000 last season.

"The quality is better than last year but the price is going down. We are not happy. One of the farmers said

The situation is more tricky for local traders who offset from farmers and bulk for exporters agents.  "We are worries because the price is changing day and night"

Exporters attribute the problem to increased supply on the world market by giants like Brazil, Vietnam and Costa rica.

There is hope that the price could get better next season with decline in production by the world giants.

Coffee prices hit a record high price of Shs 10,000 per kilo of parchment in 2014 a thing that earned the then Bugisu Cooperative Union (BCU) chairman Nandala Mafabi popularity among farmers in the sub region.

Mafabi is the FDC secretary general and MP for Budadiri West.