Coffee ready for export
Uganda is earning big from coffee exports
Uganda’s coffee exports for twelve months (June 2025-May 2026) totaled 8.6 million 60 kg bags worth US$ 2.3 billion (UGX 8.3 Trillion) compared to 7.4 million 60kg bags worth US$ 2.1 billion (UGX 7.7 trillion) in the previous year (June 2024 – May 2025).
This represents an increase of 16% and 11% in quantity and value respectively.
This revelation is contained in the May 2026 coffee exports report released by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) recently.
According to MAAIF, coffee exports in May 2026, totaled to 617,491 60-kilo bags worth US$ 151.7 million (UGX 571 billion). This comprised of 517,825 bags of Robusta valued at US$ 116.1 million (UGX 437 billion) and 99,666 bags of Arabica valued at US$ 35.6 million (UGX 134 billion).
This was a decrease of 21.6% and 34.4% in quantity and value respectively compared to the same month last year (May 2025).
Robusta decreased by 24.5% and 42.6% in quantity and value respectively while Arabica exports decreased by 2.2% and 11.7% in quantity and value respectively compared to the same month last year. Coffee export volumes during the month were lower than May 2025.
The prices also declined with expectations of improved supply conditions in the coming months, particularly in light of the favorable outlook for Brazil’s 2026/27 season.
Exports by Type and Grade
The average export price was US$ 4.1 per kilogram, US cents 2 lower than March 2026 (US$ 4.3/kilogram).
Robusta exports accounted for 84% of total exports, higher than 78% in April 2026. The average Robusta price was US$ 3.7 per kilogram, lower than US$ 3.9 per kilogram in April 2026.
The highest price was for Organic Robusta sold at US$ 4.2 per kilogram, followed by Screen 18 sold at US$ 3.9 per kilogram.
The share of Sustainable/washed coffee to total Robusta exports was 1% higherthan 2% in April 2026. Arabica fetched an average price of US$ 5.9 per kilogram US cents 3 lower than the previous month (US$ 6.2).
The highest price was for Mt. Elgon A+ sold at US$ 9.3 per kilogram. It was followed by Bugisu C sold at US$ 7.1 per kilogram.
Drugar was sold at US$ 6 per kilogram, US cents 2 lower than US$ 6.2 per kilogram the previous month, and was 58% of total Arabica compared to 50% the previous month. The share of sustainable Arabica exports to total Arabica exports was 6%, the same as April 2026.
Individual Exporter Performance
The report reveals that Export Trading Company (U) Ltd had the highest market share of 11.6% compared to 14.1% in April 2026.
It was followed by Ugacof (U) Ltd 9.9% (8%), Kyagalanyi Coffee Ltd 8.5% (13.9%), Ideal Quality Commodities Ltd 7.7% (7.3%), Jber Coffee Ltd 6.9% (5.8%), Louis Dreyfus Company (U) Ltd 5.7% (5.8%), Olam Uganda Ltd 4.6% (4.8%), DRK General Merchants Ltd 3.8% (1.2%), Kawacom (U) Ltd 3.2% (6.4%) and Ibero (U) Ltd 2.9% (2.7%).
Note: The figures in brackets represent percentage market share held in April 2026.
The top 10 exporters held a market share of 65% compared to 70% previous month (April 2026).
Out of the 75 exporters who exported, 33 exported both Robusta and Arabica coffee, 26 exported Robusta Coffee only while 12 exported Arabica coffee only.
Coffee Exports by Destination
Italy remained with the highest market share 26% compared to 19.3% last month. It was followed by India 9.5% (8.1%), Sudan 9.2% (9.8%), Germany 8.1% (6.6%) and U.S.A 5.2% (5.8%). *The figures in brackets represent percentage market share held in April 2026. The first 10 major destinations of Uganda coffee took a market share of 79% compared to 73% the previous month.
Coffee exports to African countries totaled 136,029 bags, a market share of 22% compared to 134,125 bags (23%) the previous month. African countries that imported Uganda coffee included; Sudan, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, South Africa, and Kenya.
Europe remained the main destination for Uganda’s coffees with a 56% import share, higher than 52% in April 2026.
Foreign buyers of Uganda Coffee
The top 10 buyers held a market share of 44.4% compared to 45.9% the previous month. Sucafina led with a market share of 10.3% compared to 8% in April 2026. It was followed by Koninklijke Douwe Egberts with 7.0% (6%), Louis Dreyfus 5.7% (3.9%), Olam international 5% (5.3%), Ecom Agro Industrialst 3.2% (6%), Bernhard Rothfos 3.1% (2.9%), ETG Commodities B.V 3.1 (3.1%), EPE Centrade 2.5% (2.4%), Pacorini Silocaf 2.5% (1%) and Luigi Lavazza 2%.
Note: The figures in brackets represent percentage market share held in April 2026.
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).
Local Situation
During the month of May 2026, farm gate prices ranged from UGX 5,000-5,500 per kilogram of Kiboko (Robusta dry cherries); UGX.11,000-11,500 for FAQ (Fair Average Quality); UGX 15,000-15,500 for Arabica Parchment; and UGX 14,000-15,000 per kilogram for Drugar. Robusta Kiboko averaged UGX 5,250 per kilogram compared to UGX 6,750 per kilogram previous month, Robusta FAQ averaged UGX 11,250 c o m p a r e d to UGX 11,750 per kilogram, Arabica parchment UGX 15,250 per kilogram, compared to UGX 15,750 per kilogram the previous month.
Drugar UGX 14,500 per kilogram the same as the previous month
Outlook for June 2026
According to MAAIF, Uganda’s Coffee exports are projected to reach 700,000 60- kg bags in June 2026.
“The main harvest season in Greater Masaka and South Western region is ongoing,” the report says.
