Uganda’s export earnings increase 50.4 percent in January 2025
KAMPALA, March 20, 2025 – Uganda’s export earnings in January 2025 grew by 50.4 percent compared to the same month last year, reaching USD 859.22 million, up from USD 571.16mln in January 2024. This significant rise was largely driven by increased earnings from coffee and mineral products, which surged by 82.9 percent and 77.9 percent, respectively.
The latest Performance of the Economy Monthly Report released by the Finance Ministry attributes the surge in coffee export earnings to a substantial increase in global coffee prices, which rose by over 60 percent during the past year. This was combined with a 14.3 percent increase in the quantity of coffee exported.
“The rise in global coffee prices followed a reduction in supply from Brazil and Vietnam, the world’s largest producers of Arabica and Robusta coffee, caused by dry weather conditions in both countries. Additionally, the increase in exports was supported by higher earnings from electricity, tobacco, sesame (simsim), oil re-exports, fish, and fish products, among others,” the report notes.
On a monthly basis, Uganda’s export earnings in January 2025 totalled USD 859.22mln, marking a 16.6 percent increase from USD 736.81mln in December 2024. The report highlights that this growth was primarily driven by higher earnings from mineral products, coffee, electricity, tobacco, cotton, tea, flowers, and maize.
“Similarly, exports excluding coffee and mineral products increased by 18.1 percent, from USD 320.79 million to USD 378.87 million, reflecting an increase in the majority of our exports in January 2025,” the report states.
Coffee export earnings increased by 36.1 percent in January 2025, rising from USD 115.03mln to USD 156.50mln, mainly due to higher volumes of coffee exports during the month.
Italy remained the largest market for Uganda’s coffee exports, accounting for 36.9 percent of total coffee exports in January 2025. Other significant markets included Belgium [11.9 percent], India [9.8 percent], Sudan [9.4 percent], and Germany [8.3 percent].
Destinations of Uganda’s exports
According to the report, the Middle East emerged as the largest destination for Uganda’s exports, accounting for 32.9 percent of total exports in January 2025. Within the Middle East, the United Arab Emirates accounted for 97.7 percent of Uganda’s exports to the region.
Other key destinations for Uganda’s exports included the East African Community [EAC] at 27.4 percent, the European Union at 16.9 percent, Asia at 14.8 percent, and the Rest of Africa at 4.0 percent.
Within the European Union, Italy, Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands together accounted for nearly 90 percent of Uganda’s exports to the region.
In the EAC, the Democratic Republic of Congo [DRC] emerged as the largest importer of Uganda’s merchandise, accounting for 33.4 percent [USD 78.61mln] of total exports. This was followed by South Sudan, which took up 27.1 percent [USD 63.80mln], and Kenya at 21.6 percent [USD 50.87mln].
Buy your copy of thecooperator magazine from one of our country-wide vending points or an e-copy on emag.thecooperator.news
Views: 0
