Africa’s coffee exports decline 6.7 percent despite September recovery-report
The report attributes the annual decline to weaker shipments across significant exporting origins, with Ethiopia experiencing the steepest contraction
KAMPALA, November 12, 2026 – Africa’s coffee exports declined by 6.7 percent to 17.9 million 60-kilogramme bags in the 2025/26 coffee year, despite a recovery in shipments in September, according to the International Coffee Organization [ICO].
The ICO’s October 2026 Coffee Market Report accessed by this news website shows that the continent exported 19.19mln bags in the previous coffee year, indicating a reduction of 1.29mln bags in the latest reporting period.
However, African coffee exports recorded a 2.8 percent increase in September 2026 to 1.53mln bags, compared with 1.49mln bags in September 2025, marking the region’s first monthly export growth in seven months.
The report attributes the annual decline to weaker shipments across significant exporting origins, with Ethiopia experiencing the steepest contraction.
Ethiopia’s exports of all forms of coffee fell by 8.3 percent during the 2025/26 coffee year, representing a net reduction of 0.62mln bags compared with the previous year.
Despite the annual decline, Africa’s September performance contributed to an improvement in global green coffee bean exports, which increased by 5.8 percent to 10.19mln bags from 9.63mln bags in September 2025.
Robusta coffee led the growth, with exports increasing by 15.7 percent to 4.07mln bags, while Colombian Milds recorded a 12.6 percent increase to 1.19mln bags.
The growth in green bean exports was largely driven by stronger Robusta shipments from Vietnam, whose exports increased by 26.7 percent to 26.37mln bags during the 2025/26 coffee year.
Globally, exports of all forms of coffee increased by 1 percent to 142.39mln bags during the 2025/26 coffee year, compared with 141.02mln bags in 2024/25.
Asia and Oceania were the main contributors to this growth, with exports increasing by 12.8 percent to 51.21mln bags, largely driven by Vietnam.
Coffee production rises
The ICO report also indicates that global coffee production increased by 4.4% to 183.6mln bags in the 2025/26 coffee year, up from 175.9mln bags in the previous year.
Africa’s coffee production increased to 25mln bags from 23.9mln bags, representing growth of approximately 4.6 percent.
This placed the continent among the regions recording increased production, alongside Asia and Oceania, whose output rose to 54.6 million bags, and South America, which increased production to 84.1mln bags.
Arabica production globally increased to 104.4mln bags from 101.6mln bags, while Robusta production rose to 79.2mln bags from 74.4mln bags.
Global coffee consumption, however, declined by 0.9% to 180.6mln bags from 182.2mln bags, resulting in a supply surplus of 3.0mln bags during the 2025/26 coffee year.
Coffee prices remain mixed
Meanwhile, international coffee prices recorded mixed movements in October, with Arabica prices increasing while Robusta prices declined.
The ICO Composite Indicator Price [I-CIP] averaged 261.26 US cents per pound, representing a 0.3 percent decrease from September 2026.
Prices of Colombian Milds increased by 0.5 percent to 357.85 US cents per pound, Other Milds rose by 1.7% to 334.99 US cents, while Brazilian Naturals gained 1.5 percent to 294.49 US cents per pound.
Robusta prices, on the other hand, declined by 2 percent to 164.19 US cents per pound.
The ICO attributed the divergent price movements partly to tight certified Arabica stocks, which supported prices, while improved Robusta supply availability exerted downward pressure.
Certified Arabica stocks in the United States fell to 0.23mln bags at the end of October, the lowest end-of-month level since January 2002. In contrast, certified Robusta stocks in London increased to 1.13mln bags, their highest level since July 2025.
The report further indicates that weather conditions, exchange rate movements and developments in coffee supply continued to influence international market prices.
For Uganda and other African coffee-producing countries, the report highlights contrasting developments in production, exports and international prices, with Africa recording increased production but lower export volumes during the 2025/26 coffee year.
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