Uganda

Uganda's Coffee Industry

Uganda is now Africa’s leading coffee exporter by volume, with a strong dual focus on Robusta and Arabica. In the twelve months to August 2025, Uganda exported 7.93 million 60-kg bags of coffee worth 2.24 billion US dollars. Robusta accounted for 797,363 bags in August alone, while Arabica made up 58,078 bags. Robusta remains dominant, representing over 85 percent of total output, but Arabica exports are growing in value due to improved quality and new high-altitude production zones.

Coffee is produced by over 1.7 million smallholder households, most farming less than one hectare. Production models include intercropping with bananas and agroforestry systems, especially in Central and Southwestern Uganda. Cooperatives and farmer groups are widespread, though performance varies. Strong governance, technical support, and market linkage are key success factors. Estate farming is minimal, and the sector is coordinated by the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA), though recent political reforms have proposed its integration into the Ministry of Agriculture.

Climate change is a major concern. Uganda’s coffee zones have become hotter and drier over the past three decades, with projections of a 1.7 to 1.8°C temperature rise by mid-century. Rainfall patterns are increasingly erratic, and pest pressure from coffee berry borer and leaf rust is rising. Adaptation efforts include agroforestry, climate-smart agriculture, and the promotion of resilient varieties, but uptake is uneven due to limited access to finance and inputs.

Political challenges include the restructuring of UCDA under the National Coffee Amendment Bill, which has raised concerns about sector stability. Compliance with the EU Deforestation Regulation is also a growing burden for smallholders, requiring traceability and sustainability documentation.

For UK and EU Buyers

Shipping from Uganda to the UK typically takes around 56 days by sea, with cargo trucked from Kampala to Mombasa before ocean transit to London Gateway Port.

For UK and EU buyers, Uganda offers consistent access to high-volume Robusta and increasingly premium Arabica. The country’s cooperative structure, agroforestry potential, and improving quality make it attractive for both commercial and specialty sourcing. However, climate volatility, regulatory shifts, and logistical complexity require proactive supplier engagement and long-term planning.