KAMPALA.
by Joseph Kiggundu
Coffee growing continues to excite key players after the product posted $161 million ( about sh661.8b) in export earnings in the month of January .
This progress was largely driven by strong Arabica exports and sustained demand from European markets, according to the latest report from the Ministry of Agriculture.
In January, Uganda exported 569,454 60-kilogram bags of coffee , marking an increase of 1.9 percent in quantity and 1.45 percent in value compared to the same period last year .
The exports comprised 447,599 bags of Robusta worth $111.04m (sh423.4b) and 121,855 bags of Arabica valued at $49.96m (sh189.6b).
While Robusta continued to dominate the export basket, Arabica recorded the strongest growth, rising 84.68 percent in quantity and 134.17 percent in value compared to the same month last year. Robusta exports, however, declined by 9.10 percent in volume and 19.17 percent in value.
According to the ministry, a total of 114 farmer training sessions were conducted nationwide, reaching 3,306 farmers, including 2,476 men, 830 women and 597 youth.
The trainings focused on coffee establishment and farm management practices such as proper planting and spacing, selection of quality planting materials, shade management, intercropping and improved post-harvest handling.
An additional 196 farm visits and inspections were conducted, reaching 890 farmers, while 25 post-harvest handling and Good Manufacturing Practices trainings were held in the Rwenzori, Northern and Kigezi regions to improve coffee quality and market competitiveness.
Prices and market trends
The average export price of coffee stood at $4.71 per kilogram (sh17860) in January, slightly lower than $4.97 per kilogram (sh18886) recorded in December 2025.
The decline in prices was attributed to improved global supply expectations after heavy rainfall in Brazil’s major coffee-growing regions, which eased concerns about future shortages.
Export destinations
Europe remained the largest destination for Uganda’s coffee, accounting for 63 percent of total exports during the month. Italy retained its position as the leading importer, taking 26.02 percent of Uganda’s coffee exports. It was followed by Germany with 10.44 percent , Sudan with 9.8 percent , India at 6.53 percent , and Belgium at 6.15 percent .
Other notable markets included China, Spain, the United States, Morocco and Algeria.
Coffee exports to African countries totaled 97,273 bags, representing about 17 percent of total shipments, with Sudan, Morocco, Algeria, Egypt, South Africa, Madagascar and Nigeria among the key buyers on the continent.
Leading exporters and buyers
A total of 82 exporting companies participated in the coffee trade during January, with the top 10 exporters controlling 67 percent of the market share, up from 54 percent in December.
Ugacof (U) Ltd emerged as the leading exporter with a 14.34 percent market share, followed by Jber Coffee Ltd with 7.90 percent and Kyagalanyi Coffee Ltd with 7.7 percent . On the global buying side, Sucafina led foreign buyers with a 14.03 percent share, followed by Olam International with 6.34 percent and Volcafe with 5.99 percent .
Outlook for the sector
The Ministry projects that coffee exports could reach about 500,000 bags in February 2026, as the main harvest season in parts of central and eastern Uganda winds down.
Over the 12-month period from February 2025 to January 2026, Uganda exported 8.9 million bags worth $2.5b (sh8.9 trillion), compared to 6.1 million bags valued at $1.5b (sh5.4 trillion) in the previous year.
This represents a 44 percent increase in export volumes and a 61 percent rise in value, reflecting expanding production, improved market access and sustained global demand for Uganda’s coffee.
