Uganda’s Top Export Continues to Grow in Revenue

The East African country exported 532,212 60KG bags of coffee in September, a 53.8% increase from the same period last year.

The export of the beans brought in a revenue of $144.7 million according to a report issued by the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (USDA).

“This comprised 504,576 60KG bags of Robusta valued at US $ 137.19 million and 27,636 60KG bags of Arabica valued at US$ 7.51 million.

This was a decrease of 7.67% in quantity and an increase of 53.79% in quantity and value respectively compared to the same month last year,” the report states.

Uganda’s coffee export destinations in September 2024 were listed, as Italy accounts for 36.2% of the market.

In the period under review, Italy continued to have the largest share of Uganda’s traded coffee, up from 35.3% the previous month.

Next in line were Belgium 6.73% (4.08%), Morocco 5.11% (3.47%), India 8.6% (7.08%), and Germany 15.36% (20.83%).

In August 2024, the percentage market share held is indicated by the numbers in brackets. Uganda coffee’s top ten destinations captured 88.57% of the market, up from 89.17% the previous month.

Compared to 101,562 bags (12%) the month before, coffee shipments to African nations reached 62,837 bags, or a 12% market share.

Morocco, Sudan, Algeria, Kenya, Egypt, Tunisia, and South Africa were among the African countries that purchased Uganda’s coffee in the period under review.

With a 71% import share, Europe continued to be Uganda’s top market for coffee, but it was less than 73% the previous month.

Alongside tea, coffee is Uganda’s chief export. According to Uganda’s export data, the country generated $6.7 billion in export revenue, 25.35% ($1.51 billion) of which was accounted for by its coffee export.

The USDA had earlier reported that coffee continues to be a major source of foreign exchange earnings; over the last 12 months (August 2023–July 2024), 6.3 million 60kg bags worth US$ 1.25 billion were exported.