The landscape of Uganda’s coffee export market is undergoing a strategic realignment. While a small group of elite firms continues to dominate the sector, new data from February 2026 reveals a subtle but significant increase in competition among the country’s leading exporters.
According to the latest industry performance figures, the top 10 coffee exporters accounted for 66% of the total market volume in February.
This represents a slight dip from the 67% share held in January 2026, signaling that smaller and mid-sized players are gradually increasing their foothold in the export space.
At the summit of the leaderboard, Ugacof (U) Ltd reinforced its position as the country’s leading exporter.
The company captured a 14.43% market share, slightly up from 14.34% in January, maintaining a comfortable lead over its closest competitors.
The race for the remaining positions in the top five saw notable shifts in performance and ranking dynamics.
Kyagalanyi Coffee Ltd climbed to second place with an 8.73% market share, up from 7.72% the previous month, reflecting a strong upward trajectory. Jber Coffee Ltd followed closely with 8.20%, also posting gains from 7.90% in January.
Louis Dreyfus Company Ltd registered one of the most significant monthly improvements, rising to 6.60% from 5.07%.
Export Trading Company (U) Ltd, however, slipped in performance, dropping to 6.20% from 7.55% in January, despite remaining among the top five exporters.
Other firms in the top ten included Olam Uganda Ltd (5.87%), Ideal Quality Commodities (5.32%), Touton Uganda Limited (4.67%), JKCC General Supplies Ltd (3.31%), and Kawacom (U) Ltd (2.81%).
Beyond the top tier, the broader market continues to demonstrate both depth and diversity.
In February, a total of 79 companies successfully executed coffee exports, reflecting a competitive and increasingly structured industry landscape.
Of these exporters, 27 demonstrated operational versatility by handling both Robusta and Arabica coffee varieties.
A further 32 companies specialized exclusively in Robusta, underscoring Uganda’s strong production base in Central and Eastern regions.
Meanwhile, 20 exporters focused solely on Arabica, targeting premium specialty markets largely sourced from the Elgon and Western highlands.
This diversified exporter ecosystem is viewed as a key strength of Uganda’s Coffee Roadmap, ensuring that different grades of coffee—from bulk commercial Robusta to high-value specialty Arabica—consistently reach appropriate international markets.
As the sector progresses deeper into 2026, analysts note that narrowing margins among top exporters point to a more competitive environment.
Efficiency in operations, improved traceability systems, and the ability to secure consistent supply from farmers are increasingly emerging as the key determinants of market leadership.