Public urged to report poor agronomic and harvest practices in coffee value chain

KAMPALA, February 8, 2025 –– The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries [MAAIF] has urged the public to provide information on poor agronomic and harvest practices along the coffee value chain.

“I hereby urge anyone with information regarding poor agronomic and harvesting practices along the coffee value chain to immediately report it to the Assistant Commissioner Coffee Production on 0312 260470 for appropriate action to safeguard our export market development and positioning,” Maj. Gen. David Kasura-Kyomukama, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary said in a statement.

”Following the Rationalisation of government agencies and Expenditure [RAPEX], the functions of the Cotton Development Organisation [CDO], Dairy Development Authority [DDA], National Agricultural Advisory Services [NAADS] and Uganda Coffee Development Authority [UCDA] were transferred to MAAIF]. Subsequently, to ensure uninterrupted operations, particularly the critical functions such as extension services and export processes, MAAIF has continued to employ the technical staff of these agencies,” Kusasiro said.

According to Kasura, government is focused on supporting the future of Uganda’s agriculture and specifically to improving export revenue from its products, including coffee and urges all stakeholders to remain committed to best practices that facilitate this.

“This is why the Ministry is deeply concerned about reports that some people are harvesting premature coffee in some parts of the country, and drying Fair Average Quality [FAQ] coffee in a poor way. These poor post-harvest practices may lead to significant losses by reducing the value of Ugandan Coffee exports. The public is hereby informed that all the mechanisms, including enforcement, that existed prior to the rationalisation of the UCDA into MAAIF remain in full effect. All coffee value chain actors must comply with all the mechanisms that existed under UCDA to avoid penalties. The Ministry will use robust means to ensure that Uganda’s good export position is protected,” Kasura said.

Meanwhile, MAAIF reports that Uganda’s coffee exports in December 2024 were 413,079 60-kilo bags of coffee, valued at US$ 115.03 million. This, according to the ministry, represents an increase in both volume and value compared to the exports of November 2024, which amounted to 400,536 60-kg bags valued at US$ 108.91 million. This was however an increase of 2.77 percent and 74.258 percent in quantity and value respectively compared to the same month last year.

“These export figures underscore our commitment to ensuring that nothing compromises the resilience of our trade in agriculture,” added Kasura.

Meanwhile, coffee exports for twelve months [Calendar year 2024] totaled 6.37 million bags worth US$ 1.55 billion compared to 6.12 million bags worth US$ 965.27 million in the previous year [Calendar year 2023]. This represents an increase of 4.12 percent and 60.61 percent in quantity and value respectively

Regarding the allegations regarding the lack of regulation on the use of pesticides in Uganda, Kasura said that “while we recognise the importance of public health, environmental protection, and sustainable agriculture, we wish to express concern with the alarmist and misleading narrative promoted by these articles.”

He said MAAIF recommits to safeguarding public health and the environment, enhancing sustainable agricultural productivity, and ensuring that Uganda’s agricultural exports are globally competitive.

“We urge all stakeholders, including CSOs, to join MAAIF in advancing science-based, practical solutions for pest and disease management. By working together, we can achieve a prosperous, food-secure, safe,” said Kasura.

Outlook for January 2025

Uganda’s coffee exports for January 2025, are projected to be 500,000 60-kilobags. The main harvest season north of the equator has underway. The harvesting season for the fly crop in Greater Masaka and South-Western regions has also begun, says the ministry.

Global situation

World coffee production for 2024/25 is forecast 6.9 million bags higher than the previous year to 174.9 million due primarily to rebounding output in Vietnam and Indonesia. World exports are forecast modestly higher as gains in Vietnam and Indonesia more than offset reduced shipments from Brazil.

Different reports show global consumption is expected to rise 5.1 million bags to 168.1 million, with the largest gains in the European Union, the United States, and China. Ending stocks are expected to drop 1.5 million bags to 20.9 million.

https://thecooperator.news/buganda-farmers-advised-on-fighting-deadly-black-coffee-twig-borer/

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