Uganda has earned Shs7.5 trillion from coffee exports in the last 12 months
Uganda’s coffee exports in May 2025 amounted to 793, 445 60 kilo bags valued at US$243.95 million (Shs880.39 billion), Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) has revealed in its Monthly Coffee Report for May 2025.
According to the report, this comprised of 691, 176 bags of Robusta valued at US$203.50 million and 102,269 bags of Arabica valued at US$ 40.45 million.
This was an increase of 43.59% and 91.89% 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 May 2024, Robusta increased by 46.11% and 88.74% in quantity and value respectively, while Arabica exports increased by 28.61% and 109.45% in quantity and value respectively.
“The monthly coffee exports were higher than the previous year on account of good crop from the main harvest in Masaka and south Western regions. The value of coffee exports was higher on account of the high volume and higher coffee prices compared to the same month last year,” the report reads in part.
It adds: “The price of coffee however moved lower compared to the previous month as supply concerns eased following coffee harvest and weather improvement in Brazil.”
The report reveals that Uganda’s coffee exports for twelve months (June 2024 to May 2025) totaled 7.43 million bags worth US$2.09 billion (Shs7.5 trillion) compared to 6.08 million bags worth US$1.08 billion in the previous year (June 2023 to May 2024).
This represents an increase of 22.24% and 93.61% in quantity and value respectively.
Exports by Type and Grade
The report reveals that the average export price was US$ 5.12 per kilo gram US$ cents 3 lower than in April 2025 (US$ 5.15).
It was US$1.29 higher than in May 2024 (US$ 3 83 /kilo gram.
“Robusta exports accounted for 87% of total exports, higher than 86% in April 2025,” the report says, adding that the average Robusta price was US$ 4.91 per kilo gram, 6 cents lower than US$4.97 per kilo the previous month.
“The highest price was for Organic Robusta sold at US$5.85 per kilo gram followed by Washed Robusta sold at US$5.40 per kilo gram,” the report reveals, adding that the share of Sustainable/washed coffee to total Robusta exports was 0.28 lower than 0.32 in April 2025.
Arabica fetched an average price of US$6.59 per kilo gram US$ cents 38 higher than the previous month (US$6.21). The highest price was for Sustainable Arabica sold at US$8.50 per kilo gram.
It was followed by Bugisu C/PB sold at US$8.16 per kilo. Drugar was sold at US$6.50 per kilo gram 4 cents lower than US$6.54 per kilo gram the previous month. Drugar exports were 55% of total Arabica exports the same as the previous month.
According to the report, the share of sustainable Arabica exports to total Arabica exports was 8 higher than 4 in April 2025.
Individual Exporter Performance
The report says Ugacof (U) Ltd had the highest market share of 13.00% compared to 12.58% in April 2025.
It was followed by Touton Uganda Limited at 7.12% (5.87%), Export
Trading Company (U) Ltd 6.96% (7.00%), Olam Uganda Ltd 6.69% (6.70%), Jber Coffee Ltd 5.98% (6.34%), Ideal Quality Commodities Ltd 5.89% (6.89%), Kyagalanyi Coffee Ltd 5.53% (5.24%), JKCC General Supplies Ltd 5.40% (5.47%), Louis Dreyfus (U) Ltd 4.69% (6.44%) and Besmark Coffee Company Limited 3.81% (2.85%).
Note: The figures in brackets represent percentage market share held in April 2025.
According to the report, the top 10 exporters held a market share of 65% lower than 68% the previous month reflecting competition at exporter level.
“Out of the 78 exporters who performed, 37 exported Robusta Coffee only while 16 exported Arabica coffee only,” the report says.
Coffee Exports By Destination
Italy maintained the highest market share with 39.23% compared to 42.02% last month.
It was followed by Germany at 9.38% (11.30%); Sudan 7.15% (4.72%); Algeria 6.29% (3.23%) and Spain 5.17% (7.46%).
It’s important to note that the figures in brackets represent percentage market share held in April 2025.
The first 10 major destinations of Uganda coffee took a market share of 82.65% compared to 87.26% the previous month.
Coffee exports to African countries totaled 144, 042 bags, a market share of 18% compared to 76, 467 bags (11%) the previous month.
African countries that imported Uganda coffee included Sudan, Algeria Morocco, Egypt South Africa, Tunisia and Kenya.
Europe remained the main destination for Uganda’s coffees with a 67% import share, lower than 71% in March 2025.
Foreign buyers of Uganda Coffee
The top 10 buyers held a market share of 51.74% lower than 55.48% the previous month.
According to the report, Sucafina led with a market share of 13.04% compared to 12.67% in April 2025.
It was followed by Olam International 7.67% (7.13%), Touton SA 7.57% (6.11%), Louis Dreyfus 5.42% (8.61%), Ecom Agro Industrialist 4.69% (6.44), Pacorin Silocaf 4.17% (3.33%), Bernhard Rothfos 3.49% (4.29%), Volcafe 1.96% (1.91%), Ngoni Coffee Co Ltd 1.87% (2.07%), Koninklijke Douwe Egberts 1.86% (2.39%).
Note: The figures in brackets represent percentage market share held in April 2025.
Global Situation
World coffee production for 2024/25 is forecast to reach 6.9 million bags higher than the previous year to 174.9 million due primarily to rebounding output in Vietnam and Indonesia. World exports are forecast to be slightly higher as gains in Vietnam and Indonesia more than offset reduced shipments from Brazil.
Global consumption is expected to increase by 5.1 million bags to 168.1 million, with the largest gains in the European Union, the United States, and China.
Ending stocks are expected to drop by 1.5 million bags to 20.9 million (United States Department of Agriculture, Coffee World Markets and Trade report December 2024.)
Local Situation
MAAIF’s Coffee Department says during the month of April 2025, farm gate prices ranged from UGX6,000/6,500 per kilo gram of Kiboko (Robusta dry cherries), UGX 13,500- 14,000 for FAQ (Fair Average Quality), UGX13,500-14,500 for Arabica Parchment and UGX13,500-14,000 per kilo gram for Drugar.
Robusta Kiboko averaged UGX6,250 lower than UGX7,200 Robusta.
FAQ averaged UGX13,750 lower than UGX14,500. Arabica parchment UGX14,000 per kilo gram lower than UGX14,800, Drugar UGX 13,750 per kilo gram lower than UGX14,000 per kilo gram.
Outlook for June 2025
MAAIF says Uganda’s Coffee exports are projected to be 700, 000 60 Kilo bags.
“The main harvest season in Greater Masaka and south west and the fly crop North of equator is at the tail end,” the report says.
