KAMPALA — Global coffee prices rose at the end of last week, but coffee prices paid to farmers in Uganda remained stable, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF).
In its coffee market update for Monday, October 5, 2026, MAAIF said Robusta and Arabica prices both increased on international markets.
The November 2026 Robusta contract closed at US$3,469 per tonne, up US$21, while the January 2027 contract rose by US$45 to US$3,448 per tonne.
MAAIF said the increase in Robusta prices could continue if commodity traders who had bet on falling prices start buying coffee to close those positions. This is known as short covering, where traders buy back an asset after betting that its price will fall.
Arabica prices also increased on the New York market.
The December 2026 Arabica contract closed at 288.75 US cents per pound, up 0.50 cents. This was equivalent to about US$6.37 per kilogramme, or Shs25,361 at the exchange rate used by MAAIF.
The March 2027 contract rose by 0.90 cents to 280.50 US cents per pound, equivalent to about US$6.18 (Shs24,637) per kilogramme.
MAAIF attributed the rise partly to a weaker US dollar, which encouraged traders to buy back positions, and concerns about the possible impact of an El Niño weather pattern on Brazil’s next coffee crop.
Brazil is the world’s largest coffee producer, meaning concerns about a possible reduction in its production can push international prices higher.
Despite the rise on international markets, prices at the farm gate in Uganda remained within the same ranges reported by the ministry.
Farmers were receiving between Shs15,000 and Shs16,000 per kilogramme for Arabica parchment, while clean Drugar coffee was selling at Shs14,500 to Shs15,000.
FAQ coffee was trading at Shs12,000 to Shs13,000, while Kiboko was selling for between Shs5,000 and Shs6,000 per kilogramme.
The ministry also reported that Uganda’s Robusta exports were fetching higher prices depending on quality.
Screen 18 Robusta was priced at about Shs15,255 per kilogramme, while Screen 15 was at Shs14,816 and Screen 12 at Shs14,553.
Among Arabica varieties, Bugisu AA was quoted at Shs24,922 per kilogramme, Bugisu A at Shs24,834, and Bugisu B at Shs24,659.
Drugar was quoted at Shs23,078 per kilogramme, although the highest price recorded for the variety was US$3.42 per pound.
MAAIF said the coffee price analysis is carried out by its Department of Coffee Production and Development in collaboration with partner institutions and companies operating in the coffee market.
The update comes as Uganda’s coffee sector continues to depend heavily on international prices, weather conditions and the country’s ability to maintain export volumes.
For farmers, however, the difference between the international price and the farm-gate price remains significant. A rise in the global market does not automatically mean an equal increase in what a farmer receives.