Uganda’s coffee industry has taken centre stage at the SCAJ World Specialty Coffee Conference in Tokyo, buoyed by a record-breaking performance that saw exports earn US$2.24 billion in the past year. The surge represents a 58.7 percent rise compared to the previous year, firmly placing Uganda among the world’s top emerging coffee exporters.
Uganda shipped more than 7.9 million 60-kilogram bags of coffee around 462,000 tonnes between September 2024 and August 2025. In August alone, exports exceeded 855,000 bags worth over US$200 million. Premium Arabica beans, especially from the Mt Elgon region, commanded prices as high as US$9.42 per kilogram, underlining the quality and appeal of Uganda’s coffee on the global stage.
At the exhibition in Tokyo, Uganda’s pavilion drew large crowds with live brewing sessions, cupping demonstrations, and farmer-led discussions on sustainability. Buyers and roasters praised the diversity of flavours in both Robusta and Arabica beans. Uganda’s ambassador to Japan noted that demand from Japanese buyers has doubled in recent years, a sign of Asia’s growing appetite for Ugandan coffee.
Coffee now stands as Uganda’s leading foreign exchange earner, sustaining the livelihoods of more than 12 million people involved in farming, processing, and export. While Europe remains the largest market, Asia has emerged as the fastest-growing destination, giving exporters confidence that Uganda can achieve its national target of producing 20 million bags annually by 2030.
Stakeholders emphasise that continued investment in farmer training, improved seedlings, processing facilities, and stronger logistics will be crucial to maintain momentum. Despite challenges, the Tokyo showcase confirmed Uganda’s place on the world map as not only a source of raw beans, but a rising leader in the specialty coffee market.