The geographic landscape of Uganda’s coffee exports underwent a notable shift in February 2026.
While the European Union remains the cornerstone of the trade, a surge in demand from African markets and emerging Asian economies is beginning to diversify the country’s export portfolio.
According to the latest performance data, Uganda’s top ten destinations accounted for a combined 79% of total coffee exports.
This reflects a still-concentrated trade structure, though slightly down from 80% in January, indicating early signs of market broadening beyond traditional buyers.
Italy continues to anchor Uganda’s European coffee trade, reinforcing its position as the single largest destination market.
In February, Italy’s share rose to 28.80%, up from 26.02% in January, underscoring sustained demand driven by its deep reliance on Ugandan beans for espresso blends and industrial roasting.
However, the broader European bloc showed signs of weakening demand. Total European imports dropped to 58% in February, down from 63% in January, signaling a gradual rebalancing of Uganda’s export destinations.
Germany, one of Uganda’s key European buyers, recorded a notable decline, with its share falling to 8.41% from 10.44% in the previous month.
The contraction adds to growing evidence of shifting consumption patterns within Europe’s coffee import market.
The Rise of African Demand
The most significant development in February was the sharp rise in intra-African coffee trade.
Exports to African countries reached 140,694 bags, accounting for 22% of total exports—up from 17% (97,273 bags) in January.
This surge reflects strengthening regional trade ties and a growing preference for African-sourced coffee within the continent itself.
Sudan maintained its position as the second-largest global destination for Ugandan coffee, holding a 9.95% market share.
Morocco recorded one of the most dramatic shifts, more than doubling its share from 3.14% to 7.26% within a single month.
Other key African markets including Algeria, Egypt, South Africa, and Kenya continued to provide stable demand, reinforcing the continent’s role as an increasingly important growth engine for Uganda’s coffee exports.
The 5% rise in Africa’s share effectively offsets the equivalent decline recorded in Europe, suggesting a structural rather than temporary shift in Uganda’s trade flows.
Asia Adds Further Momentum
Beyond Africa, India emerged as a critical growth market in Asia. Its share increased to 7.95%, up from 6.53% in January, positioning it as a key stabiliser amid Europe’s slowdown.
The rise reflects expanding consumption in emerging Asian economies, where demand for both commercial and specialty coffee is steadily increasing.
The February data points to a gradual but meaningful reconfiguration of Uganda’s coffee export geography.
While Europe—particularly Italy—remains dominant, the accelerating growth in Africa and Asia is beginning to reshape long-term trade dynamics.
For Uganda’s coffee sector, this diversification is increasingly viewed as a strategic buffer.
Reduced reliance on a single market bloc such as Europe helps mitigate exposure to regulatory pressures, including evolving EU sustainability requirements, as well as fluctuations in demand.
If the current trajectory continues, the “Africa-first” and Asia-expansion trend could become a defining feature of Uganda’s coffee trade strategy in 2026 and beyond, marking a shift from traditional dependency to a more balanced global footprint.