Uganda’s specialty coffee features prominently in Japanese exhibition
The exhibition comes on a record-breaking year in which Uganda’s coffee export earnings surged to US$ 2.24 billion
KAMPALA, September 30, 2025 — Ugandan specialty coffee is enjoying a moment of triumph on the global stage, having debuted strongly at the recently concluded 20th Specialty Coffee Association of Japan Conference and & Exhibition 2025 [SCAJ 2025], Asia’s largest coffee showcase.
The exhibition comes on a record-breaking year in which Uganda’s coffee export earnings surged to US$ 2.24 billion, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries [MAAIF]. The milestone marks a 58.7 percent jump from the previous year, cementing coffee’s position as the country’s leading foreign exchange earner.
In the 12 months to August 2025, Uganda shipped out 7.93 million 60-kilogramme bags, with both Robusta and Arabica beans making waves in global markets.
At the Tokyo Big Sight Exhibition Centre in Tokyo, Uganda’s pavilion boldly branded “Uganda: The Pearl of Africa” is positioning the country as a reliable supplier for Japan’s demanding specialty market. The stand features live cuppings, sustainability showcases and direct engagement between Japanese roasters and Ugandan exporters.
“Japan values quality, traceability, sustainability, and authenticity,” noted Uganda’s Ambassador to Japan, Tophace Kaahwa. “Uganda offers all these attributes, alongside volumes that can sustain long-term partnerships.”
Analysts attribute the record earnings to both strong harvests and rising international prices, particularly for Uganda’s premium arabica beans grown in high-altitude regions like Mt. Elgon. In August alone, Arabica exports surged nearly 64 percent in value compared to the previous year, with some top lots fetching as high as US$ 9.42 per kilogramme.
The event is one of Asia’s leading platforms for specialty coffee, bringing together producers, regions, and related industries from around the world.
“The story of Uganda’s coffee is not just about trade figures,” said Gordon Katwirenabo, Assistant Commissioner for Quality Assurance and Value Addition at MAAIF. “It is about transformation. From smallholder farmers to globally recognised exporters, Uganda is showing the world that scale, quality, and sustainability can go together.”
For Uganda’s coffee exporters, the Tokyo showcase is more than a promotional event; it’s a business hub. Contracts are being negotiated on site, with government officials confident that partnerships struck in Tokyo will translate into long-term gains for farmers back home.
“Our exports are at record highs and this is only the beginning,” Katwirenabo added.
With Japan identified as a priority growth market, Uganda’s coffee sector is looking to build on its historic export performance and carve out a permanent place among the world’s most trusted coffee origins.
The SCAJ 2025 was hosted from September 24-27, was hosted to showcase the latest advancements in the specialty coffee industry. The 2025 event, with the theme “Belong Together in Coffee!”, aimed to foster global connections for Japanese coffee professionals and promote the Coffee Value Assessment [CVA]. The event also features various exhibitors, sponsors, and educational opportunities related to specialty coffee.
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