Uganda earns shs322bn from coffee exports

Data from Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) monthly report for April 2024 has indicated that  Uganda’s coffee exports in April 2024, amounted to 390,977 60-kilo bags, worth $ 84.80 million that is approximately shs321.9 billion .

Emmanuel Iyamulemye the Executive director of Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) told Nile post that, “this comprised of 290,037 bags of Robusta valued at US $ 61.49 million and 100,940 bags of Arabica valued at $ 23.31 million. This was an increase of 4.84% and 41.71% in quantity and value respectively compared to the same month last year.”

“By comparing quantity of coffee exported by type in the same month of last Year (April 2023), Robusta increased by 21.72% and 95.85% in quantity and value respectively, while Arabica exports decreased by 25.02% and 18.05% in quantity and value respectively.”

The report indicates that the monthly coffee export volume was higher than the previous year, and this was in Robusta as the newly harvested main crop from Masaka and South Western regions.

“Arabica exports were however lower than last year due to a smaller harvest in Elgon region.” Reads the report

The report adds that coffee exports for the twelve months (May 2023-April 2024) totaled to 5.92 million bags worth $ 1.02 billion compared to 5.73 million bags worth $ 838.81 million in the previous year (May 2022-April 2023),

This represents an increase of 3.38% and 21.45% in quantity and value respectively.

Italy maintained the highest market share with 43.87% compared to 38.08% last month. It was followed by India 8.08% (12.29%), U.S.A 7.00% (4.08%), Germany 6.89% (10.50%) and Belgium 6.76% (7.42%).

The first 10 major destinations of Uganda coffee took a market share of 86.93% compared to 89.27% last month.

Coffee exports to Africa amounted to 24,583 bags, a market share of 6% compared to 33,328 bags (10%) the previous month.

The UCDA report further shows that coffee exports are projected to be 450,000 60-kilobags.

African countries that imported Uganda coffee included Morocco, Sudan, South Africa, Kenya, and Egypt.

Europe remained the top  destination for Uganda’s coffees with a 69% imports share, higher than 66% in March 2024.

During the month of April 2024, various initiatives were undertaken to enhance coffee production across different regions.

A significant effort was made to establish demonstration farms aimed at promoting Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and rehabilitation and renovation (R&R) techniques. These farms, totaled 224, and were strategically distributed across different regions.