KAMPALA, May 10, 2025 – Africa’s coffee exports rose significantly in March 2025, increasing by 36.3 percent to 1.58 million bags, up from 1.16 million bags in March 2024, according to the latest Coffee Market Report released by the International Coffee Organisation [ICO].
“This marks the sixteenth consecutive month of positive growth for the region,” the report states, attributing the increase primarily to Ethiopia and Uganda. “Ethiopia and Uganda were the two main drivers of the region’s growth in March 2025, with exports rising by 65.8 percent and 72.9 percent, respectively, to 0.63 million bags and 0.57 million bags.”
According to the ICO, the growth in both countries can be explained by a strong harvest, supported by high international coffee prices and “front loading” a term referring to the early shipment of coffee in anticipation of favourable market conditions.
However, not all African countries experienced positive trends. Côte d’Ivoire recorded a sharp decline in exports, falling by 80.6 percent to 0.04 million bags in March 2025 from 0.18 million bags a year earlier. “In contrast to Ethiopia and Uganda, a poor harvest appears to explain the downturn for this origin,” the report seen by this reporter notes.
Global picture
Globally, exports of all forms of coffee rose by 0.6 percent to 13.0 million bags in March 2025, compared to 12.92 million bags in March 2024. “This was the second consecutive month of positive growth following three straight months of declines,” the report adds.
However, year-to-date exports fell to 67.73 million bags, down from 69.2 million over the same period the previous year. Three of the four major coffee-exporting regions registered growth, with South America being the only region to experience a decline. This also caused South America’s share of global exports to fall to 35.7 percent in March 2025.
Soluble and roasted coffee exports
Soluble coffee exports saw notable growth, increasing by 15.6 percent in March 2025 to 1.28 million bags, up from 1.11 million in March 2024.
The share of soluble coffee in total exports for the current coffee year [October 2024 to March 2025] rose to 9.9 percent, compared to 9.0 percent during the same period in the previous coffee year. Brazil remained the largest exporter of soluble coffee, shipping 0.33 million bags in March 2025.
On the other side, exports of roasted coffee beans also rose sharply, increasing by 27.3 percent to 82,684 bags in March 2025, up from 64,964 bags in March 2024.
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