At a Glance
- Uganda’s coffee shipments rose 60.3% in November from a year earlier, driven by higher output.
- Central and Eastern regions recorded peak harvests, boosting export volumes.
- Coffee earned Uganda about $2.4 billion in the 12 months to November, alongside gold as a top FX source.
Uganda’s coffee exports climbed sharply in November, rising more than 60% from a year earlier as a strong harvest in key growing regions pushed more beans to market, according to a government report.
The increase underscores coffee’s central role in Uganda’s export economy at a time when global prices remain elevated and demand from Europe and Asia is steady.
For farmers, the larger volumes reflect favorable weather and improved yields in parts of the country.
Uganda is Africa’s largest coffee exporter, ahead of Ethiopia, and coffee remains one of its most reliable earners of foreign exchange, alongside gold.
The agriculture ministry said the jump in shipments followed peak harvesting in several producing areas, easing supply constraints that weighed on exports earlier in the year.
Shipments surge in November
Uganda exported 640,328 60-kilogram bags of coffee in November, up from 399,381 bags in the same month last year.
That represents a 60.3% increase year on year.
Officials attributed the rise to higher output as harvesting gathered pace in the Central and Eastern regions, which account for a large share of the country’s production.
These areas saw improved yields as farms brought more cherries to processing stations.
Traders said the stronger flow of beans helped exporters meet outstanding contracts and take advantage of firm international prices, particularly for robusta, Uganda’s main variety.
Coffee’s role in the economy
Coffee remains a cornerstone of Uganda’s agricultural sector and a key source of hard currency. In the 12 months through November, the country earned about $2.4 billion from coffee exports, the ministry said.
That income supports millions of smallholder farmers and provides vital revenue for the government at a time when external financing conditions are tight.
Officials have repeatedly said boosting agricultural exports is critical to stabilizing the shilling and narrowing the trade gap.
While monthly shipments can fluctuate with harvest cycles, the latest figures point to a strong season in parts of the country.
The ministry said output trends will become clearer in the coming months as harvesting tapers off and export data for the rest of the season is compiled.
