The Ugandan delegation in Istanbul
Uganda has once again made its mark at COFFEX Istanbul, Türkiye’s premier specialty coffee expo, showcasing its world-class Arabica and Robusta coffee to a diverse audience of coffee enthusiasts, industry professionals, roasters, and policymakers.
As the event enters its 7th edition, Uganda’s presence reaffirms its commitment to expanding market access and fostering stronger trade relations with Türkiye’s growing specialty coffee sector.
This year’s focal country, India, highlighted its deep-rooted coffee heritage, further enriching discussions on global coffee trade. Uganda’s participation, marking its second appearance at the expo, was strategically designed to position Uganda’s specialty coffee as a competitive alternative in the Turkish market.
Rebounding Coffee Trade Between Uganda and Türkiye
Despite a decline in Uganda’s coffee exports to Türkiye in the 2023/2024 fiscal year, which saw earnings drop to US$3.34 million, Uganda’s coffee industry has demonstrated resilience and adaptability.
The first nine months of the 2024/2025 fiscal year already indicate a positive turnaround, with export revenues reaching US$5.51 million—a notable increase driven by enhanced promotion efforts and direct engagement with Turkish buyers.
The Ugandan Embassy in Türkiye attributes this upswing to its strategic diplomatic efforts, ensuring that Turkish importers increasingly work directly with Ugandan coffee producers rather than intermediaries.
According to Nelson Kasigaire, Counselor at the Ugandan Embassy, these initiatives have resulted in Turkish firms establishing operations in Uganda, gaining firsthand experience in sourcing and processing Ugandan coffee. This closer collaboration is expected to bolster long-term trade partnerships between the two nations.
Engagements & Key Highlights from Uganda’s Pavilion
Uganda’s exhibition pavilion at COFFEX Istanbul 2025 was a major attraction, drawing industry leaders, buyers, and coffee lovers to experience the unique rich flavors and diverse profiles of Ugandan coffee. The pavilion hosted:
- Three cupping sessions, offering guests an immersive tasting experience to evaluate the distinct characteristics of Ugandan coffee.
- Two happy hours, providing a dynamic networking platform where exporters engaged with Turkish coffee buyers, trade representatives, and importers.
- Educational discussions, focusing on sustainable coffee farming practices, value addition, and Uganda’s commitment to quality assurance in specialty coffee.
These engagements proved highly successful, leading to promising business prospects for Ugandan exporters. Projections indicate that trade deals initiated at the expo will exceed last year’s US$1.2 million benchmark, further solidifying Uganda’s foothold in the Turkish coffee market.
Government’s Role in Facilitating Market Access
Recognizing the strategic importance of Türkiye as a market for Ugandan coffee, the Government of Uganda, through the Ugandan Embassy in Ankara and the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, played a crucial role in supporting exporters at COFFEX Istanbul.
Coffee exporters at this expo include Bowi Logistics, Hinga Coffee, Tuongeye Coffee and Arabku Export Trading Ltd.
Officials facilitated bilateral discussions between Ugandan exporters and Turkish buyers, streamlining negotiations and creating direct pathways to expand exports. These initiatives complement Uganda’s broader agenda to strengthen international partnerships, increase coffee trade, and enhance exporters’ capacity to penetrate global markets.
Optimism for Future Trade Growth
Leading the Ugandan delegation at the expo was Assistant Commissioner for Marketing and Promotion, David Katungi, who expressed enthusiasm over the positive reception of Ugandan coffee and the constructive discussions held with key stakeholders. Katungi reaffirmed that the fruitful engagements at COFFEX Istanbul 2025 are a testament to Uganda’s consistent efforts in promoting high-quality coffee and securing better market opportunities for its exporters.
As Uganda leverages the momentum gained at COFFEX Istanbul, the country remains optimistic about further strengthening its coffee trade with Türkiye. With direct investment from Turkish firms and deepening partnerships, Uganda’s specialty coffee industry is poised for greater success on the international stage.
