KAMPALA, December 12, 2025 — Uganda has recorded one of its strongest coffee export performances in recent years, with shipments over the twelve months from November 2024 to October 2025 reaching 8.4 million bags worth US$ 2.4 billion [Shs 8.2 trillion].
This marks a significant rise from the 5.8mln bags valued at US$ 1.3bln [Shs 4.88trn] registered in the previous year.
According to the Agriculture ministry’s Monthly Coffee Report for October 2025, the latest figures represent a 46.96 percent increase in export volumes and a 77.33 percent surge in export value for Uganda.
The report attributes the impressive growth to increased production, with harvests already underway in central and eastern Uganda, as well as improved global prices driven by weather-related concerns in major producing countries such as Brazil, Vietnam and parts of Central America.
In October 2025 alone, Uganda exported 685,720 bags of coffee worth US$ 185.56mln [Shs 642.7bln]. Robusta accounted for the largest share, with 597,925 bags valued at US$ 151.51mln [Shs 524.8bln], while Arabica contributed 87,795 bags worth US$ 34.04mln [Shs 117.93bln]. This reflects increases of 38 percent in volume and 33 percent in value compared with the same month in 2024.
Robusta exports grew by 31 percent in volume and 19 percent in value year-on-year, reaffirming Uganda’s position as a leading producer of high-quality Robusta coffee.
Arabica performed even more strongly, rising by 117 percent in volume and 182 percent in value, supported by improved quality and sustained demand in specialty markets.
“Coffee export volume was higher than the previous year on account of increased coffee production as harvest in central and eastern regions is already underway. Coffee prices on the global scene improved on weather-related concerns in Central America, Brazil and Vietnam,” the report notes.
Italy maintained its position as the single largest buyer of Ugandan coffee, accounting for 26.22 percent of exports, up from 25.63 percent in September 2025.
Other key markets included Germany at 10.67 percent, down from 13.04; Algeria at 7.49 percent, up from 5.95; India at 6.62 percent, up from 5.41; and Switzerland at 4.94 percent, up from 2.14.
The top ten destinations collectively accounted for 74.66 percentage of Uganda’s coffee exports, slightly lower than the 77.90 percentage recorded in September.
Exports to African markets stood at 108,540 bags, representing 16 percent of total exports — a decline from 182,441 bags [22 percent] in September 2025. Key African buyers included Algeria, Sudan, Morocco, Tunisia, South Africa, Kenya and Egypt.
Europe remained the dominant destination, taking in 63 percentage of Uganda’s exports, up from 61 percentage the previous month. This long-standing market continues to be vital for Uganda’s premium and specialty varieties.
The average export price in October was US$ 4.51 per kilogram, an increase of 20 cents from September’s US$ 4.31, although slightly below the US$ 4.67 per kilogramme recorded in October 2024. Robusta constituted 87 percentage of total exports, though this was lower than the 91 percent share in September. The average Robusta price rose to US$ 4.22 per kilo from US$ 4.10.
Washed Robusta registered the highest Robusta price at US$ 4.88 per kilo, followed by Screen 17 at US$ 4.60. Sustainable or washed Robusta accounted for 0.78 percent of exports, up from 0.33 percent in September 2025.
Arabica fetched an average price of US$ 6.46 per kilo, slightly below the US$ 6.50 recorded in September. The highest Arabica price was for Bugisu C/PB at US$ 8.33 per kilo, followed by Wugar RFA at US$ 8.06. Drugar sold at US$ 6.37, up from US$ 6.34 in September, and accounted for 46 percent of total Arabica exports, down from 52 percent the previous month.
Sustainable Arabica maintained a 7 percent share of total Arabica exports, the same as in September 2025, reflecting steady demand for environmentally conscious and ethically sourced coffee.
Uganda’s latest export figures reaffirm the country’s standing among the world’s leading coffee producers, while signalling continued progress in value addition, quality enhancement and market diversification.
Outlook for November 2025
Uganda’s Coffee exports are projected to reach 550,000 60- kilo bags in November 2025. The main harvest season in parts of central and eastern regions is underway.
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