Africa’s coffee exports rise 7.7 percent in November 2025-ICO report
The November expansion was largely driven by Uganda, whose exports rose 72.0 percent to an estimated 0.69mln bags from 0.4mln bags a year earlier
LONDON, January 15, 2026 — Exports of all forms of coffee from Africa increased by 7.7 percent in November 2025 to 1.41 million bags from 1.31mln bags in November 2024, according to the latest Coffee Market Report January 2026 released by the International Coffee Organisation [ICO].
“Africa’s coffee exports have continued to expand, with the exception of August 2025, and the region has registered positive growth since the start of coffee year 2023/24. This helped Africa close coffee year 2024/25 with total shipments of 19.72mln bags and pushed the 12- month moving total [MMT] to 20.02mln bags in November 2025 — the first time the region’s MMT has surpassed 19mln bags,” says the report.
The November expansion was largely driven by Uganda, whose exports rose 72.0 percent to an estimated 0.69mln bags from 0.4mln bags a year earlier. Uganda’s exports have been on a sharply rising trajectory since mid-2023/24, breaking through the 7–8 mln bag range for the first time in coffee year 2024/25, when they reached 8.26mln bags. “This growth has been supported by increased production, high international coffee prices, and higher stock drawdowns. Uganda has set a production target of 20mln bags by 2030,” the report says.
“Regional growth was dampened by weaker performance from another significant African origin, as Ethiopia’s exports were down 14.8 percent in November 2025. This contraction contrasts with the country’s recent export trend.”
Indeed, the report says over coffee year 2024/25, Ethiopia recorded pronounced growth, exporting 7.43mln bags — its first time surpassing 6–7mln bags. This expansion was supported by an estimated 9.91-mln-bag harvest and strong international prices, which may have encouraged greater exportable supply through a greater-than-usual stocks drawdown.
In November 2025, global green bean exports totalled 8.95mln bags, up 4.8 percent as compared with 8.54mln bags in November 2024.
Global exports of all forms of coffee increased by 3.8 percent to 10.47mln bags in November 2025 as compared with 10.09mln bags in November 2024. Three of the four regions saw expansions of their exports, with South America being the sole region with a downturn.
Vietnam, Indonesia, and Uganda boost Robusta exports
The report says green bean exports of the Robustas were up 28.0 percent to 3.24mln bags in November 2025 from 2.53mln bags in November 2024, driven primarily by Vietnam, whose shipments surged 93.2 percent to 1.47mln bags.
Indonesia and Uganda also contributed positively, with exports up 27.0 percent and 75.5 percent, respectively. “These gains were partly offset by Brazil, where Robusta exports fell 65.3 percent to 0.22mln bags. Overall, the pattern is consistent with trends for the Robustas observed in coffee year 2024/25, characterized by declining Brazilian shipments and strengthening exports from Indonesia, Uganda and Vietnam,” adds the report.
“In the cases of Vietnam and Brazil, the sharp year-on-year changes largely reflect a normalisation rather than a structural shift: Vietnam rebounded from a supply-driven downturn, while Brazil retreated from the unusually elevated export level seen in 2023/24, when it filled a global Robusta supply vacuum caused by curtailed shipments from Indonesia and Vietnam.”
According to the report, Brazil exported 9.37mln bags in 2023/24, well above its five-year average of 3.52mln bags. By contrast, Uganda’s growth appears structural, with exports on a sustained upward trajectory since mid-2023/24. Shipments reached a record 7.32mln bags in 2024/25, supported by rising production, high international prices and increased stock drawdowns. Uganda has set an official production target of 20mln bags by 2030.
Total Arabica exports
The total Arabica exports decreased to 5.71mln bags in November 2025, down 4.9 percent from 6.01mln bags in November 2024, says the report. “As a result, the Arabicas’ share of the total green bean exports for the first two months of coffee year 2025/26 fell to 66.7 percent from 70.3 percent over the same period a year ago.”
Exports of coffee by forms
The report shows green beans remained by far the largest form of coffee exported, accounting for 85.9% of total exports in the first two months of coffee year 2025/26, while soluble and roasted coffee represented 13.7 percent and 0.4 percent, respectively.
Total exports of soluble coffee decreased by 0.6 percent in November 2025 to 1.48mln bags from 1.49mln bags in November 2024. “Brazil, Indonesia and Vietnam were the biggest exporters of soluble coffee in November 2025, having shipped 0.27mln bags, 0.31mln bags and 0.37mln bags, respectively,” says the report.
On the other hand, exports of roasted beans were down 28.7 percent in November 2025, reaching 0.04mln bags, compared to 0.06mln bags in November 2024.
https://thecooperator.news/uganda-fetches-shs-8-8trn-from-coffee-exports-in-one-year-report/
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