KAMPALA, March 13, 2026 — Africa’s coffee exports recorded strong growth in January 2026, rising by 15.3 percent to 1.27 million bags, up from 1.1 million bags in January 2025, according to the latest Coffee Market Report released by the International Coffee Organization [ICO].
The expansion was largely driven by Uganda, whose coffee exports surged by 25.1 percent to an estimated 0.69 million bags, compared with 0.55 million bags in the same month last year.
The February 2026 report shows that Uganda’s coffee exports have been on a steady upward trajectory since mid-2023/24. Shipments broke through the seven to eight million bag range for the first time in coffee year 2024/25, reaching 8.26 million bags.
“This growth has been mainly driven by rising production, which is also likely behind the latest increase in exports,” the report notes.
The ICO adds that Uganda’s production is expected to expand further in coffee year 2025/26, with some estimates suggesting growth of more than 10 percent.
Uganda contributes to global Robusta export growth
According to the report, global exports of green bean Robusta coffee rose sharply by 49.1 percent to 5.25 million bags in January 2026, up from 3.52 million bags in January 2025.
The surge was mainly driven by Vietnam, whose shipments jumped 73.3 percent to 3.69 million bags.
The report notes that India, Indonesia and Uganda also contributed positively to the increase, with their combined global Robusta exports rising 20.4 percent to 1.2 million bags, compared with 1.0 million bags in January 2025.
“These gains were partly offset by Brazil, where Robusta exports declined by 25 percent to 0.18 million bags,” the report states.
It adds that the trend of declining exports from Brazil and increasing shipments from India, Indonesia, Uganda and Vietnam has persisted during the first four months of coffee year 2025/26.
“In the cases of Vietnam and Brazil, the sharp year-on-year changes largely reflect a normalisation rather than a structural shift,” the report explains.
Vietnam has rebounded from a supply-driven downturn, while Brazil has retreated from the unusually high export levels recorded between the final three months of coffee year 2022/23 and the first three months of 2024/25, when it filled a global Robusta supply gap caused by reduced shipments from Indonesia and Vietnam.
Brazil exported 9.37 million bags in 2023/24, significantly above its five-year average of 3.52 million bags.
“By contrast, Uganda’s growth appears structural, with exports on a sustained upward trajectory since mid-2023/24,” the report adds.
Shipments reached a record 7.32 million bags in 2024/25, supported by rising production, strong international prices and increased stock drawdowns.
Uganda has set an official production target of 20 million bags by 2030 under its Coffee Roadmap, launched in 2017.
Arabica exports decline
Meanwhile, global Arabica coffee exports fell to 5.59 million bags in January 2026, representing a decline of 8.3 percent from 6.1 million bags recorded in January 2025.
As a result, Arabica’s share of total green bean exports during the first four months of coffee year 2025/26 dropped to 61.1 percent, down from 66.4 percent in the same period a year earlier.
Global green bean exports rise
Overall, global green bean exports totalled 10.85 million bags in January 2026, up 12.7 percent from 9.63 million bags in January 2025.
For the third consecutive month, performance across the four major coffee groups remained mixed. Exports of Other Milds and Robustas increased, while shipments of Brazilian Naturals and Colombian Milds declined.
“Green beans were the largest form of coffee exported, accounting for 85.23 percent of total exports in the first four months of coffee year 2025/26, while soluble coffee and roasted coffee represented 14.24 percent and 0.53 percent, respectively,” the report adds.
Soluble coffee exports
Global exports of soluble coffee rose by 19.6 percent in January 2026 to 1.7 million bags, up from 1.42 million bags in January 2025.
“Vietnam, Indonesia and Brazil were the largest exporters of soluble coffee in January 2026, shipping 0.57 million, 0.32 million and 0.27 million bags, respectively,” the report notes.
Roasted coffee exports
Meanwhile, global exports of roasted coffee beans declined sharply by 56 percent in January 2026 to 0.07 million bags, compared with 0.04 million bags in January 2025.
https://thecooperator.news/fao-welcomes-un-resolution-establishing-international-coffee-day/
Buy your copy of theCooperator magazine from one of our countrywide vending points or an e-copy on emag.thecooperator.news
