Uganda’s Coffee Exports Rise by 3.4% in October 2023, Fueled by Global Demand and Favorable Harvest
The Uganda Coffee Development Authority’s report reveals a 3.4% increase in exported quantity and an 18.3% rise in value compared to the same period last year. Favorable global prices and a robust harvest in the southwestern region contributed to the export performance. Italy, Germany, and Spain were among the top buyers, with Europe accounting for over 68% of total exports.
In October 2023, Uganda experienced a surge in coffee exports, generating a revenue of approximately UGX 298.2 billion during the period. According to the monthly report from the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA), the country shipped 470,080 60-kilo bags, equivalent to $78.96 million (approximately UGX 298.2 billion).
This comprised 410,113 bags of Robusta valued at $66.87 million (UGX 252.56 billion) and 59,967 bags of Arabica valued at $12.10 million or UGX 45.7 billion. This reflects an increase of nearly 3.4% in the quantity exported and an 18.3% growth in value compared to the same month last year, as stated in the report.
Robusta coffee shipments increased by over 3.4%, surpassing the same month of the previous Coffee Year (October 2022), with earnings growing by more than 26%. Arabica export volumes rose by more than 2.8% during the period under review, accompanied by revenue expansion exceeding 12%, as indicated by the UCDA report.
The export performance improvement is attributed to a bountiful crop harvest in the southwestern region and favourable global prices, prompting exporters to release their stocks, according to the sector watchdog.
Notably, Robusta was exported at an average price of $2.73 per kilo (over UGX 10,311 per kilo) last month, reflecting an increase of 3.4% in quantities exported and an 18.3% rise in value compared to the same month last year. The UCDA report also highlights the positive trend in farm-gate prices for Robusta Kiboko, which averaged UGX 3,900 per kilo.
Over the 12 months from November 2022 to October 2023, Uganda’s coffee exports amounted to 6.16 million bags, valued at $952.24 million (approximately UGX 3.59 trillion). This represents a 5.5% increase in volumes and a 7.8% growth in revenue compared to the previous period (November 2021 to October 2022), according to the report.
Italy, Germany, Spain, India, Algeria, Morocco, Kenya, South Africa, Sudan, and Egypt emerged as the primary buyers of Uganda’s coffee. Europe remained the predominant importer, constituting over 68% of the total exports, according to UCDA.
