Coffee remains Uganda’s reliable top foreign exchange earner
Uganda’s coffee exports in August 2025 amounted to 855, 441 bags worth US 202.75 million (UGX722.58 billion), Ministry of Agriculture has revealed in its Monthly Coffee Report for August 2025.
This comprised of 797, 363 bags of Robusta valued at US180.79 million (UGX644.33 billion) and 58, 078 bags of Arabica valued at US21.96 million (UGX78.26 billion).
“This was an increase of 2.45% in quantity and a decrease of 8.19% in value compared to the same month last year,” the report says, adding that compared to the same month of last year (August 2024), Robusta increased by 1.82% in quantity and decreased by 12.85% in value.
On the other hand, Arabica exports increased by 11.88% and 63.96% in quantity and value respectively.
According to the report, coffee export volume was slightly higher than the previous year on account of a good crop harvest in most coffee growing regions.
Export value of coffee was however lower than the same month last year and was seen in Robusta as a result of the spillover effect from July when prices went down.
Coffee exports for twelve months (September 2024- August 2025) totaled 7.93 million bags worth US2.24 billion (UGX7.94 Trillion) compared to 6.73 million bags worth US1.40 billion (UGX5.00 trillion) in the previous year (September 2023-August 2024).
This represents an increase of 17.88% and 58.72% in quantity and value respectively.
Exports by Type and Grade
According to MAAIF’s Coffee Department report, the average export price was US$3.95 per kilogram, US cents 24 lower than in July 2025 (4.19). It was US cents 8 higher than in July 2024 (US 4. 27 /kilogram.
The report reveals that Robusta exports accounted for 93% of total exports, higher than 92% in July 2025.
The average Robusta price was US 3.78 per kilogram, 24 cents lower than US 4.02 per kilo the previous month.
The highest price was for Washed Robusta sold at US 3.78 per kilogram, followed by Screen 12 sold at US3.95 per kilogram.
The share of Sustainable/washed coffee to total Robusta exports was 0.30% slightly lower than 0.51% in July 2025.
Arabica fetched an average price of US6.30 per kilogram, US cents 24 higher than the previous month (US6.06).
The highest price was for Mt Elgon A+ sold at US9.42 per Kilogram. It was followed by Mt Elgon B sold at US8.82 per kilo gram, Drugar was sold at US6.48 per kilogram, 14 cents higher than US6.34 per kilogram the previous month.
Drugar exports were 47% of total Arabica exports lower that 54% the previous month.
The share of sustainable Arabica exports to total Arabica exports was 14% higher than 5% in July 2025.
Individual Exporter Performance
The report reveals that Kyagalanyi Coffee Ltd had the highest market share of 8.73% compared to 6.93% in July 2025.
I t was followed by Export Trading Company Ltd 8.61% (8.37%), Olam Uganda Ltd 8.26% (5.48%), Jber Coffee Ltd 7.63% (7.03%), Ideal Quality Commodities Ltd 7.48% (6.82%), Ugacof Ltd 7.13% (11.87%), Ibero Ltd 4.78% (4.82%), JKCC General Supplies Ltd 4.00% (3.17%), Kawacom Ltd 3.52% (3.53%) and Sena Indo Uganda Limited 3.47% (2.06%).
Note: The figures in brackets represent percentage market share held in July 2025.
The top 10 exporters held a market share of 6.4% lower than 6.5% the previous month, reflecting competition at exporter level. Out of the 82 exporters who exported, 60 exported Robusta Coffee only while 11 exported Arabica coffee only.
Coffee Exports By Destination
The report shows that Italy maintained the highest market share with 29.27% compared to 31.14% last month.
It was followed by Sudan 13.13% (12.51%), Germany 10.02% (11.40%), Algeria 5.38% (6.15%) and India 4.49% (3.04%).
It’s important to note that the figures in brackets represent percentage market share held in July 2025.
The first 10 major destinations of Uganda coffee took a market share of 79.59% compared to 79.88% the previous month.
Coffee exports to African countries totaled 195 858 bags, a market share of 23% compared to 236 691 bags (24%) the previous month.
African countries that imported Uganda coffee included Sudan, Algeria, Morocco, Egypt, South Africa, Libya, Tunisia, and Kenya.
Europe remained the main destination for Uganda’s coffees with a 62% import share, higher than 61% in July 2025.
Foreign buyers of Uganda Coffee
According to the report, the top 10 buyers held a market share of 43.81% lower than 51.27% the previous month.
Olam International led with a market share of 8.76% compared to 6.48% in July 2025.
It was followed by Sucafina with 7.10% (11.64%), Bernhard Rothfos 6.02% (5.68%), Volcafe 3.81% (2.85%), Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B V 3.75% (3.50%), Louis Dreyfus 3.64% (6.06%), Touton SA 3.29% (5.54%), Ecom Agro Industrialist 3.00% (3.79%), Pacorini Silocaf SRL 2.29% (1.37%) and ETG Commodities 2.25% (2.88%).
Note: The figures in brackets represent percentage market share held in July 2025.
Global Situation
World coffee production for 2025 26 is forecast to be 4.3 million bags higher than the previous year to a record 178.7 million due to continued recovery in Vietnam and Indonesia as well as record output in Ethiopia. World coffee bean exports are forecast 700 000 bags higher to 122.3 million as gains from Vietnam, Ethiopia, and Indonesia more than offset losses from Brazil and Colombia.
Global consumption is forecast at 169.4 million bags, while ending inventories are expected to remain tight at 22.8 million bags.
(United States Department of Agriculture, Coffee World Markets and Trade report June 2025.
Local Situation
According to MAAIF, during the month of August 2025, farm gate prices ranged from UGX6,000-7,000 per kilogram of Kiboko (Robusta dry cherries); UGX13,500-14,000 for FAQ (Fair Average Quality); UGX14,000-15,000 for Arabica Parchment and UGX13,500-14,000 per kilogram for Drugar.
Robusta Kiboko averaged UGX6,500 higher than UGX5,250 the previous month.
Robusta FAQ averaged UGX13,750 higher than UGX10,250 Arabica parchment UGX14,500 per kilogram, higher than UGX13,750 per kilogram the previous month Drugar UGX13,750 per kilogram lower than UGX12,500 per kilogram the previous month.
Outlook for September 2025
According to MAAIF, Uganda’s Coffee exports are projected to reach 750, 000 60 kilo bags in August 2025.
“The main harvest season in some parts of Central and Eastern Regions has begun. Farmers and traders still have stocks that are being held as they wait for coffee prices to rise,” MAAIF says in its report.
