Tag: Uganda

Uganda’s Ambition Shakes Coffee Markets: A Historic Leap Toward 20 Million Bags

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DUBAI – QAHWA WORLD

While global markets remain preoccupied with weather volatility in Brazil, Uganda continues its steady and confident rise to solidify its position as the largest coffee exporting power in Africa, surpassing all conventional expectations.

According to data from the International Coffee Organization (ICO) Report for January 2026, Uganda recorded a historic surge in its exports with a growth rate of 52.5%, serving as a primary contributor to the increase in the continent’s total exports.

This exceptional performance was no coincidence; rather, it is the result of a national strategy that enabled the country to exceed the 8.2 million bags (60 kg each) annual threshold, placing it seventh globally and transforming it into a “pivotal player” that cannot be ignored in the global supply equation.

Analytical insights from the report indicate that Uganda successfully exploited the “price vacuum” left by production disruptions in other regions by improving production quality and expanding cultivated areas.

The Ugandan success story relies on a unique diversity; the country balances the production of “Robusta,” which forms the backbone of its exports, and high-quality “Arabica” grown on mountain slopes.

This diversity has granted it high flexibility in facing global exchange fluctuations, as Ugandan coffee has become the first choice for roasters seeking “value for money,” especially with increasing demand for both varieties in emerging European and Asian markets.

Behind these figures lies Uganda’s most ambitious plan in the continent’s history, aiming to double production to reach 20 million bags by 2030.

This government vision includes a comprehensive modernization of the post-harvest sector, the distribution of disease-resistant seedlings, and enhancing the capacities of smallholder farmers who represent 90% of the productive force.

Analysts believe that Uganda reaching this figure will make it a direct competitor to countries the size of Vietnam, redrawing the power map of the global coffee market and reducing total dependence on Latin American production.

The recent export leap is not just a number in an international report; it is a clear signal to investors that the center of gravity in coffee production has begun to shift toward East Africa. The ambition of 20 million bags is no longer a distant dream but an economic reality taking shape under the mantle of sustainable development and agricultural leadership.

Uganda Projects 558,000-Ton Coffee Crop, a 15% Increase for 2025/2026

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Kampala — Qahwa World

Uganda is forecasting a major rise in coffee production, projecting a 15% increase for the 2025/2026 crop year (October–September), as new coffee plantations begin to yield harvests, according to Gerald Kyalo, Commissioner of the Coffee Department at the Ministry of Agriculture.

The East African country—Africa’s leading coffee exporter—expects to harvest 558,000 metric tons, equivalent to 9.3 million 60-kilogram bags, up from 8.1 million bags in the previous season. The projection represents a 14.8% rise, or 72,000 tons more than last year’s output of 486,000 tons.

“The major reason is increased planting. Many farmers have planted coffee which we anticipate will come into production this year and will inevitably push up exports as well,” Kyalo told Reuters.

Over the past years, the government of President Yoweri Museveni has distributed free coffee seedlings to both new and existing farmers to expand their acreage or open up new farmland. Additionally, the government has been providing free fertilisers to help the country reach its ambitious target of producing 30 million bags annually by 2030.

Uganda predominantly grows the Robusta variety, though Arabica is also cultivated in highland regions. Production and export volumes have been climbing steadily, boosted by global coffee price gains and maturing new trees that have begun producing fruit.

In the 12 months to August 2025, Uganda earned $2.2 billion from coffee exports, up 57% from the previous year—a record performance that underscores the sector’s growing strength. Since the country exports nearly 95% of its coffee, the larger 2025/2026 crop is expected to further boost export revenues and consolidate Uganda’s position as a key player in the global coffee market.

With expanded planting, favourable weather, and strong global demand, Uganda continues to reinforce its status as one of Africa’s fastest-growing coffee producers—well on its path toward becoming a top global coffee powerhouse.

Germany Earns More From Coffee Than Producing African Nations

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Berlin – September 14, 2025 – (Qahwa World) – Germany, a country that does not grow coffee, has become one of the most influential players in the global coffee industry, earning more from exports than all African producing nations combined. In 2024, Germany exported over 473,000 tonnes of coffee worth €6 billion, largely by importing raw beans from producing countries and re-exporting them after processing and branding.

Africa, home to 18 coffee-exporting countries including Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Rwanda, remains dependent on raw bean exports. Uganda recently overtook Ethiopia as the continent’s leading exporter, shipping nearly 800,000 bags in May 2025 alone, worth $243 million. Ethiopia, long considered the historic heart of coffee, followed with 43,481 tonnes during the same period. Data from the International Coffee Organization covering March 2023 to February 2024 shows Uganda shipped over six million bags, compared with Ethiopia’s 3.5 million, while other producers such as Tanzania, Côte d’Ivoire, and Kenya trailed with far smaller volumes.

The disparity lies in value addition. A KPMG study as far back as 2014 highlighted that Africa exported coffee worth $6 billion while the global coffee industry exceeded $100 billion, driven by roasting, blending, packaging, branding, and sustainable certification. Germany has built its dominance on precisely these steps, importing nearly one million tonnes of green coffee in 2023, 91 percent directly from producing nations. Brazil supplied the largest share at 341,000 tonnes, followed by Vietnam, Honduras, Uganda, Colombia, and India. Even when imports declined by 17 percent that year, Germany’s reserves ensured its exports continued without disruption.

The contrast underscores a hard truth: while coffee was born in Africa, most of its wealth is captured elsewhere. Unless producing nations invest in roasting, branding, and specialty development at origin, they will remain suppliers of raw beans while others reap the greater rewards.

Global Coffee Stocks Fall to Lowest Level Since April 2024

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Dubai, September 4, 2025 (Qahwa World) – The International Coffee Organization’s (ICO) August 2025 report has revealed a sharp decline in global coffee stocks, falling to their lowest level since April 2024. The drop in inventories comes just weeks after prices reached a historic high, highlighting a fragile market caught between soaring demand and tightening supply.

According to the ICO, certified Arabica stocks held at the New York Exchange dropped 7.9% to 0.77 million bags, marking a 16-month low. Robusta inventories at the London Exchange also fell by 4.6%, standing at 1.13 million bags. The simultaneous reduction across both major coffee types signals a broad squeeze on available supply.

Why Stocks Are Falling

Analysts point to several reasons behind the decline:

  • Weaker export flows – Global green coffee exports fell for the sixth consecutive month in July 2025, tightening supplies into key markets.

  • Crop concerns – Brazil, the world’s top producer, reported larger bean sizes but weaker density, which reduced overall yield estimates.

  • Climate risks – A frost in Brazil earlier this year damaged an estimated half a million bags.

  • Regulatory pressure – European roasters have been stockpiling ahead of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) that comes into force at the end of 2025, drawing beans out of certified warehouses into private storage.

Connection to Soaring Prices

The fall in stocks coincided with a dramatic rise in prices. In August, the ICO Composite Indicator Price (I-CIP) climbed 14.6% to 297.05 US cents per pound, the highest since 2024. With inventories shrinking, the likelihood of further price volatility is increasing, especially if supply disruptions persist.

Regional Dynamics

  • South America posted the steepest decline, with exports down 18.5%, driven by a 28.6% fall in Brazil.

  • Asia & Oceania moved in the opposite direction, growing exports 22.7%, led by Vietnam (+29.4%) and Indonesia (+20.4%).

  • Africa also contributed positively, with exports rising 4.4%, thanks to strong performance in Uganda (+51.4%) and Ethiopia (+12.5%).

  • Mexico & Central America recorded moderate growth of 7.2%, helping to diversify global supply, though not enough to offset South America’s losses.

What It Means for the Market

Industry experts warn that the current drawdown in stocks leaves the coffee market more vulnerable to external shocks. Further weather events in Brazil or Vietnam could deepen the supply gap, while the EUDR may slow exports to Europe. Rising shipping and labor costs add another layer of pressure on the supply chain, feeding into higher costs for roasters and consumers alike.

Outlook

The ICO emphasized that stock levels will remain a critical indicator for the market in the coming months. Any further declines could trigger another round of price surges, prolonging uncertainty for producers, traders, and consumers. With prices already at historic highs and inventories at multi-year lows, coffee is entering one of its most volatile periods in recent memory

World Coffee Research Boosts Uganda’s Coffee Production Goals through Nursery and Seed Lot Development

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Dubai January 18, 2024(QW):In a significant stride towards achieving Uganda’s ambitious coffee production targets, World Coffee Research (WCR), in collaboration with the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) and the Uganda National Coffee Research Institute (NaCORI), has been actively working on enhancing the country’s nursery and seed sector. The concerted effort aims to quadruple coffee production to 20 million bags by 2030, as outlined in Uganda’s Coffee Roadmap.

Over the past year, various initiatives have been undertaken, including the publication of open-access, localized training materials, workshops for nursery operators, evaluation and cleanup of seed lots, and the distribution of high-quality C. arabica and C. robusta seedlings across growing regions in Uganda.

Robert Adomati, UGACOF Field Officer, highlights the impact of supplying quality planting materials, stating, “increasing productivity, easing the accessibility of high-yielding varieties, and improving farmer incomes.”

The collaboration focuses on transforming Uganda’s coffee sector to benefit approximately 1.5 million households engaged in sustainable coffee farming. It aligns with the nine key initiatives of the Coffee Roadmap, with a goal to increase yields by 3-4 times compared to 2019-21 productivity rates and expand production land by 20%.

One of the primary challenges addressed is the mass propagation of improved planting material and seedling distribution. Uganda, a major producer and exporter of robusta coffee, faces hurdles in this process. WCR, in partnership with UCDA, is working to strengthen local nurseries to supply improved varieties, including 10 Coffee Wilt Disease (CWD)-resistant clonal lines, commercially released as NARO Kituza Robusta (KR) 1-10.

Funded by Strauss Coffee B.V. and WCR member companies globally, the project aims to deliver 100,000 healthy KR plants to farmers. In collaboration with UGACOF/Sucafina, nearly 50,000 KR plants have already been supplied to farmers in the Greater Masaka region, supporting the establishment of profitable and self-sustaining nurseries managed by coffee farmers.

Sjaak De Bloois, Head of Sustainability & Agronomy for UGACOF, expressed pride in the quick results of the partnership, with the remaining 50,000 plants set to be supplied in 2024. These farmers will also receive support for UCDA certification, ensuring compliance with local regulatory standards.

Furthermore, WCR, UCDA, and NaCORI are actively optimizing Uganda’s ability to propagate and grow robusta varieties. Training sessions for nursery operators and UCDA extension officers, along with the release of open-access educational resources, demonstrate a commitment to improving skills and knowledge in robusta nursery establishment and management.

Dr. Gerald Kyalo, Director of Agricultural Development Services for UCDA, emphasized the positive impact of the training sessions, stating, “The nursery training has contributed significantly to improving the skills of operators in the Masaka region, hence improving the quality of planting material being multiplied and sold to farmers.”

With these concerted efforts, Uganda is poised to not only meet but exceed its coffee production goals, ensuring sustainable growth for the coffee sector and the livelihoods of millions of Ugandan coffee farmers.