Coffee ready for export
Coffee remains a top foreign exchange earner for Uganda
Uganda’s coffee exports for twelve months (April 2025-March 2026) totaled 8.8 million bags worth US$ 2.4 billion (UGX 8.8 Trillion) compared to 6.9 million bags worth US$ 1.8 billion (UGX 6.6 trillion) in the previous year (April 2024- March 2025).
This represents an increase of 28% and 36% in quantity and value respectively.
This is contained in MAAIF’s Monthly Coffee Report for March 2026.
According to the report, Uganda’s coffee exports in March 2026, totaled to 671,152 60-kilo bags worth US$ 173.37 million (UGX 646.75 billion).
This comprised of 567,405 bags of Robusta valued at US$ 134.0 million (UGX 499.90 billion) and 103,747 bags of Arabica valued at US$ 39.36 million (UGX 146.85 billion).
This was an increase of 3.19% and a decrease of 13.56% in quantity and value respectively compared to the same month last year (March 2025). Robusta increased by 7.04% in quantity and decreased by 20.80% in value while Arabica exports decreased by 13.77% and 10.49% in quantity and value respectively compared to the same month last year.
The report notes that coffee export volumes during the month were higher than March of last year on account of increased coffee production.
Coffee prices during the month however declined compared to February 2026 in line with the decrease at the global level due to improved global supply outlook.
Exports by Type and Grade
According to the report, the average export price was US$ 4.31 per kilogram, US cents 32 lower than February 2026 (US$ 4.63/kilogram). Robusta exports accounted for 85% of total exports, higher than 79% in February 2026.
The average Robusta price was US$ 3.94 per kilogram, lower than US$ 4.06 per kilogram in February 2026.
“The highest price was for Organic Robusta sold at US$ 5.12 per kilogram, followed by Screen 17 sold at US$ 4.26 per kilogram,” the report reads in part.
The share of Sustainable/washed coffee to total Robusta exports was 0.95% higher than 0.5% in February 2026. Arabica fetched an average price of US$ 6.32 per kilogram US cents 40 lower than the previous month (US$ 6.72). The highest price was for Mt. Elgon A+ sold at US$ 9.84 per kilogram. It was followed by Mt. Elgon PB sold at US$ 8.82 per kilogram.
Drugar was sold at US$ 6.38 per kilogram, US cents 36 lower than US$ 6.74 per kilogram the previous month, and was 39% of total Arabica exports higher than 33% the previous month.
The share of sustainable Arabica exports to total Arabica exports was 6%, lower than 11% in February 2026.
Individual Exporter Performance
Ugacof (U) Ltd had the highest market share of 12.66% compared to highest of 14.43% in February 2026, the report says.
It was followed by Kyagalanyi coffee Ltd 9.04% (8.73%), Olam Uganda Ltd 8.41% (5.87%), Export Trading Company (U) Ltd 8.27% (6.20%), Jber Coffee Ltd 8.09% (8.20%), Ideal Quality Commodities Ltd 6.37% (5.32%), Louis Dreyfus Company (U) Ltd 5.73% (6.60%), Touton Uganda Limited 5.08% (4.67%), Kawacom (U) Ltd 3.59% (2.81%) and Ibero (U) Ltd 2.40% (2.15%).
Note: The figures in brackets represent percentage market share held in February 2026.
The top 10 exporters held a market share of 70% higher than 66% the previous month.
The report says out of the 83 exporters who exported, 32 exported both Robusta and Arabica coffee, 36 exported Robusta Coffee only while 15 exported Arabica coffee only.
Coffee Exports By Destination
Italy remained with the highest market share of 32.17% compared to 28.80% last month.
It was followed by Sudan 11.14% (9.95%), Germany 7.96% (8.41%), India 6.56% (7.95%) and Morocco 5.99% (7.26%).
It’s important to note that the figures in brackets represent percentage market share held in February 2026.
The first 10 major destinations of Uganda coffee took a market share of 81% compared to 79% the previous month.
Coffee exports to African countries totaled 143,342 bags, a market share of 21% compared to 140,694 bags (22%) the previous month.
African countries that imported Uganda coffee included; Sudan, Morocco, Algeria, Egypt, South Africa, Kenya, Madagascar and Tanzania.
Europe remained the main destination for Uganda’s coffees with a 62% import share, higher than 58% in February 2026.
Foreign buyers of Uganda Coffee
The top 10 buyers held a market share of 54.23% higher than 52.67% the previous month.
Sucafina led with a market share of 12.80% compared to 15.00% in February 2026. It was followed by Olam International with 8.28% (7.14%), Louis Dreyfus 6.12% (6.85%), Volcafe 5.18% (6.35%), Touton SA 5.08% (4.67%), Ecom Agroindustrialist 4.22% (3.17%), Koninklijke Douwe Egberts 3.91% (1.55%), Strauss 3.31%, Bernhard Rothfos 2.99% (2.90%) and Aldwami 2.35% (2.15%).
Note: The figures in brackets represent percentage market share held in February 2026.
Local Situation
During the month of January 2026, the report says, farm gate prices ranged from UGX 5,300-6,000 per kilogram of Kiboko (Robusta dry cherries); UGX.11,500-12,5000 for FAQ (Fair Average Quality); UGX 14,500-15,500 for Arabica Parchment; and UGX 14,000-15,000 per kilogram for Drugar. Robusta Kiboko averaged UGX 5,650 per kilogram lower than UGX 6,750 per kilogram previous month, Robusta FAQ averaged UGX 12,000 lower than UGX 12,500 per kilogram, Arabica parchment UGX 15,000 per kilogram, lower than UGX 15,500 per kilogram the previous month. Drugar UGX 14,500 per kilogram the same as the previous month.
Global Situation
World coffee production for 2025/26 is forecast to reach a record of 178.8 million bags, 3.5 million bags higher than the previous year, due to continued recovery in Vietnam and record output in Indonesia and Ethiopia, more than compensating for losses in Brazil and Colombia.
World coffee bean exports are forecast 2.3 million bags higher to 123.8 million as gains from Vietnam, Indonesia, and Honduras more than offset losses from Brazil and Colombia.
With global consumption continuing to rise to a record 173.9 million bags, ending stocks are expected to drop for a fifth-consecutive year to just 20.1 million bags.
In response, coffee prices as measured by the International Coffee Organization (ICO) monthly composite price index have nearly tripled during this period. (United States Department of Agriculture, Coffee: World Markets and Trade report-December 2025).
Outlook for April 2026
MAAIF says Uganda’s Coffee exports are projected to reach 680,000 60- kg bags in April 2026. The main harvest season in Greater Masaka and South Western region is at peak.
