Uganda’s coffee industry continues to break records, with the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) reporting a 77.44% surge in coffee export volumes and a 152.56% increase in earnings for April 2025, compared to the same month in 2024.
According to the “Monthly Coffee Report – April 2025” (Issue 7 for Coffee Year 2024/25), Uganda exported 694,318 60-kilogram bags of coffee in April, generating US$ 214.38 million in revenue. This marks one of the highest single-month export values in Uganda’s coffee trade history.
“This growth reflects not only a bumper harvest but also strong international demand and improved farm-gate prices,” the report noted.
Key Findings from the April Report:
Export Value and Price Surge: The average price was US$ 5.15 per kilogram, up from US$ 3.62 in April 2024, and slightly higher than US$ 5.14 in March 2025.
Robusta Leads the Surge: Robusta coffee exports saw a 104.63% increase in volume and a 187.61% rise in value year-on-year. Arabica coffee, however, recorded a slight 0.8% drop in volume but a 60% increase in value due to higher global prices.
Top Exporters’ Share: 68.43% of the total export volume was handled by the top 10 exporters, among 75 companies active in April.
Sustainable Arabica Hits Premium Price: Sustainable Arabica coffee fetched the highest market price at US$ 8.70 per kilogram.
Farm-Gate Prices: Robusta Kiboko (dried cherries): UGX 7,800/kg; FAQ Sugarcane: UGX 14,900/kg and Screen 18: UGX 14,000/kg.
Yearly Overview: May 2024 – April 2025
Over the past 12 months, Uganda exported a total of 7.17 million 60-kg bags, earning US$ 1.97 billion, compared to 5.90 million bags valued at US$ 1.61 billion during the previous coffee year. This represents a 21.7% increase in quantity and a 94.64% jump in value.
The record-breaking performance is attributed to a strong harvest in Masaka and South Western Uganda, as well as global supply uncertainties caused by dry conditions in Brazil and Vietnam, the world’s top Arabica and Robusta producers, respectively.
Monthly Export Volumes (May 2024 – April 2025): Highest exports: August 2024 – 835,681 bags; Steady climb: April 2025 – 694,318 bags; and Lowest exports: November 2024 – 399,701 bags.
“This data confirms Uganda’s position as a rising force in the global coffee market. The Ministry remains committed to transforming subsistence farming into commercial agriculture,” stated MAAIF via its official communication channel.
The Ministry has pledged to continue supporting farmers through extension services, quality control, and market development to sustain this upward trajectory in Uganda’s coffee sector.