KAMPALA, October 10, 2026 — Africa’s coffee exports fell by 1.8 percent in August 2026, extending the region’s declining trend to six consecutive months, with Uganda accounting for much of the latest contraction, according to the International Coffee Organization [ICO].
According to the ICO Coffee Market Report September 2026, Africa exported an estimated 1.74 million bags of coffee in August, down from 1.77mln bags recorded in the same month last year, the ICO said in its September 2026 Coffee Market Report.
Cumulative African coffee exports for the first 11 months of the 2025/26 coffee year also declined to 16.4mln bags, from 17.7mln bags during the corresponding period a year earlier.
Uganda was the main driver of the decline, with its coffee exports estimated at 0.78mln bags in August, down 8.8 percent from 0.86mln bags in August 2025.
The decline in African exports came despite an increase in global coffee shipments. Worldwide exports of all forms of coffee rose by 14.6 percent in August 2026 to 12.55mln bags, from 10.95mln bags a year earlier.
South America recorded the strongest growth, with exports rising by 20.2 percent to 5.98mln bags, while Asia and Oceania increased shipments by 23.1 percent to 4.03mln bags. Exports from the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America, however, fell by 14.3 percent to 0.79mln bags.
The ICO report shows that Uganda’s decline came at a time when Brazil’s record crop was increasing global coffee availability and putting downward pressure on prices.
The ICO Composite Indicator Price averaged 262.18 US cents per pound in September 2026, an 8.7 percent decline from August, as increased availability from Brazil’s harvest and expectations of ample supply weighed on the market.
All four ICO coffee group indicators declined during the month, with Brazilian Naturals falling by 9.9 percent, Colombian Milds by 8.1 percent, Other Milds by 8.8 percent and Robustas by 7.3 percent.
The fall in prices coincided with a sharp increase in global coffee exports. Green coffee bean exports reached 10.94mln bags in August, up 15.6 percent from 9.46mln bags in August 2025.
Robusta exports led the increase, rising 22.4 percent to 4.36mln bags, while Brazilian Naturals increased 21.3 percent to 3.57mln bags. Colombian Milds were the only major coffee group to record a decline, falling 5.6 percent to 1.09mln bags.
The ICO attributed the weaker price environment partly to Brazil’s large 2026/27 crop. The country’s supply estimate was raised to a record 67.6mln bags in September, while global coffee production for the 2026/27 crop year is projected at a record 189.7mln bags by the United States Department of Agriculture.
The ICO also estimated a 3.0-mln-bag surplus for the 2025/26 coffee year, following four consecutive years of deficits, although it noted that the surplus is equivalent to less than one week of global consumption.
Despite the broader price decline, the ICO said weather and climate risks continued to provide uncertainty in the market. The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration had put the probability of a very strong El Niño event at more than 90 percent, while drought alerts in Honduras and Nicaragua could constrain supplies of washed Arabica coffee.
For Uganda, the latest export figures point to continued pressure on shipments even as the country remains one of Africa’s major coffee producers.
The ICO report estimates Africa’s total coffee production at 25.0mln bags in the 2025/26 coffee year, up from 23.9mln bags in 2024/25 and 18.7mln bags in 2020/21.
The contrasting production and export trends highlight the pressure facing African coffee exporters as global supplies increase and prices weaken.
Meanwhile, the ICO Composite Indicator Price [I-CIP] averaged 262.18 US cents/lb in September 2026, down 8.7 percent from August 2026. Increased availability from Brazil’s harvest and expectations of ample supply weighed on prices, although ICO says low certified Arabica stocks and uncertainty surrounding El Niño provided some support.
https://thecooperator.news/ico-launches-platform-to-improve-access-to-coffee-market-data/
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