KAMPALA – Uganda’s coffee exports in February 2022 when compared to the same month last year, decreased by 20.4 percent to 448,957 60-kilo bags fetching the country US$ 72.17 million, says Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA), the national agency that manages the coffee business, says in its latest report.
According to the report, the exports comprised 351,944 bags of Robusta valued at US $45.9 mln and 97,013 bags of Arabica valued at US$ 26.27 mln. “This was a decrease of 20.43 percent in quantity but an increase of 42.44 percent in value compared to the same month last year,” says UCDA in its report.
Uganda is Africa’s number one coffee exporter, even though Ethiopia which consumes most of its coffee domestically, is the continent’s biggest producer of the crop.
Uganda produces both Arabica coffee and Robusta coffee. Arabica Known for its sweet aroma and fetches high prices, is grown on the slopes of Mt Elgon while Robusta, which is grown in big quantities than Arabica, is grown in the lowlands of the country.
By comparing quantity of coffee exported by type in the same month of last Coffee Year (February 2021), although Robusta decreased by 29.91 percent in quantity, it increased by 11.75 percent in value, while Arabica exports increased by 56.28 percent and 173.86 percent in quantity and value respectively.
UCDA attributes the decrease in Robusta exports to mainly lower yields this year that was characterised by drought in some regions. “This led to a shorter main harvest season in Central and Eastern regions as well as a short fly crop in Greater Masaka and SouthWestern regions.”
On the other hand, UCDA attributes the Increase in Arabica coffee exports to an on-year cycle characteristic of Arabica coffee production. “Shortage of shipping containers in Asia and weather related concerns in Brazil fueled increase in global prices.”
Meanwhile, Coffee exports for the 12 months (March 2021-February 2022) amounted to 6,607,963 60-kilo bags worth US$ 762.60 mln compared to 5,556,059 60-kilo bags valued at US$ 515.57 mln the previous year (March 2020- February 2022), which was 18.93 percent and 47.91 percent increase in both quantity and value respectively.
Further, coffee exports for 12 months (March 2021-February 2022) totaled 6.61 mln bags worth US 762.60 mln compared to 5.56 mln bags worth US$ 515.57 mln the previous year (March 2020-February 2021), which represents an increase of 19 percent and 48 percent in both quantity and value respectively.
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