Uganda’s annual export revenue rises over 83 percent in December 2025
According to the latest Performance of the Economy Monthly Report released by the Finance Ministry, the rise in the export earnings was driven by higher receipts from mineral products, coffee, base metals and their products, cocoa beans, crude oil, beans and cement, among others
KAMPALA, February 20, 2026 — Uganda’s Year-on-year, export receipts rose significantly by 83.49 percent, increasing from US$ 760.31 million in December 2024 to US$ 1,395.07 million in December 2025.
According to the latest Performance of the Economy Monthly Report released by the Finance Ministry, the rise in the export earnings was driven by higher receipts from mineral products, coffee, base metals and their products, cocoa beans, crude oil, beans and cement, among others.
Coffee export volumes grew by 21.67 percent to 502,582 60-kilogramme bags in December 2025, compared to 413,079 60-kilogramme bags exported in the same month last year. This improvement was mainly attributed to increased domestic production, the report states. “The average unit price also increased by 7.09 percent during this period, despite a slowdown in global price movements resulting from an improved global supply outlook.”
The main export markets for coffee in December 2025 included Italy, Belgium, Germany, India and Sudan.
On a month-on-month basis, Uganda’s exports grew by 16.08 percent, from US$ 1,201.80 million in November 2025 to US$ 1,395.07 million in December 2025. “This was mainly due to higher earnings from mineral products, cocoa beans, oil re-exports and beans, among others,” the report notes.
Destination of exports
The report indicates that the Middle East remained Uganda’s top export destination for the twelfth consecutive month. Exports to the region more than doubled, rising from US$ 271.94 million in December 2024 to US$ 676.59 million in December 2025. Similarly, exports to Asia increased significantly, from US$ 93.98 million to US$ 219.25 million over the same period.
“The combined export share from these two regions to total…exports increased from 48.1 percent in December 2024 to 64.2 percent in December 2025,” the report states.
In December 2025, the top four export destinations accounted for 95.9 percent of Uganda’s total merchandise exports. These were the Middle East [48.5 percent], the East African Community [EAC] [20.0 percent], Asia [15.7 percent] and the European Union [11.7 percent].
According to the report, “this composition reveals that government’s ongoing efforts to diversify and expand market access are yielding tangible results. This momentum needs to be maintained by further strengthening regional integration and negotiating trade protocols that advance the country’s strategic interests and export growth prospects.”
Value of imports increases
The report shows that Uganda’s imports increased by 55.2 percent, from US$ 1,031.95 million in December 2024 to US$ 1,601.49 million in December 2025. “The rise in the import bill was largely driven by higher formal private-sector imports. These included mineral products [excluding petroleum], machinery and equipment, vehicles and accessories, vegetable and animal products, beverages, fats and oils, petroleum products, base metals and their products, among others,” the report states.
On a month-on-month basis, the import bill rose by 12.6 percent, from US$ 1,422.84 million in November 2025 to US$ 1,601.49 million in December 2025. “This increase was also driven by higher formal private-sector imports, including mineral products; machinery and equipment; vehicles and accessories; and vegetable and animal products, beverages, fats and oils, among others,” the report adds.
Origin of imports
More than half of Uganda’s imports originated from Asia and the EAC, says the report. However, the share of imports from these two regions in total merchandise imports marginally declined from 59.9 percent in December 2024 to 58.4 percent in December 2025, largely due to Asia’s reduced market share over the period.
In addition to these two trading partners, other key sources of Uganda’s imports in December 2025 were the Rest of Africa and the Middle East, which accounted for 25.0 percent and 10.2 percent of total imports, respectively.
“The rising share of imports from the African continent from 40.8 percent in December 2024 to 54.1 percent in December 2025 signals improved intra-African trade and underscores the benefits of regional integration,” the report states.
Trade balance by region
According to the report, Uganda traded favourably with the Middle East and the European Union, recording significant surpluses that grew by 234.3 percent and 293.8 percent respectively between December 2024 and December 2025.
In contrast, trade deficits were recorded with other trading partners, particularly the EAC [from US$ 6.63 million to US$ 186.07 million] and the Rest of Africa [from US$ 155.31 to US$ 366.19 million], with deficits widening significantly over the same period.
Meanwhile, the deficit with Asia narrowed by 13.3 percent, while the trade surplus previously recorded with the Rest of Europe reversed into a deficit over the same period.
https://thecooperator.news/uganda-drives-africas-coffee-exports-in-december-2025-new-report/
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