By Wakibi Iddi
Kampala,
Uganda’s coffee export earnings fell by 18.6 percent to US$204.1 million (about Shs749 billion) in July, as Robusta prices declined amid increased global supplies from Brazil and Vietnam.
The country exported 846,376 60-kilogramme bags in July, down from 997,105 bags in July 2025, according to figures from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries.
Commercial-grade Robusta FAQ was trading at Shs11,500–12,000 per kilogramme in the first half of September, down from Shs13,500–14,000 during the same period last year, representing a 14.5 percent decline.
The Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Mr Frank Tumwebaze, said the price movement does not signal a loss of demand for Ugandan coffee.
“The current price fluctuation should not be interpreted as a disappearance of demand for coffee or cocoa. It is largely a response to changing expectations in global supply and inventories,”
Mr Tumwebaze said in a statement dated September 20.He said Brazil’s harvest entering the international market and increased exports from Vietnam have added supplies at a time when global production is expected to rise during the 2026/27 season.
Ugandan farmers are also dealing with climate pressures. The minister said prolonged drought and unusually high temperatures in Greater Masaka, Kyotera, Sembabule, Luweero and other coffee-growing areas have affected flowering, cherry development, bean filling and processing.
The Ministry estimates coffee out-turn in affected areas at about 10 percent below the normal average.
Not all coffee categories have followed the same trend. Arabica parchment rose by about 8.5 percent, from Shs14,000–15,000 per kilogramme last year to Shs15,500–16,000 in September. Drugar was trading at Shs14,000–14,500, while Kiboko declined from Shs6,000–7,000 to Shs5,000–6,000.
Mr Tumwebaze said quality remains an important factor in determining the prices farmers receive, with traders offering better returns for properly processed coffee.
“Farmers bringing well-dried, properly fermented and good-quality coffee may be offered a substantially better price than one bringing immature, poorly dried or mixed coffee,” he said.
He urged farmers to avoid harvesting immature cherries due to immediate financial pressure.
“Do not panic. Do not harvest immature coffee. Do not compromise quality,” he said, encouraging farmers to move from raw Kiboko into better processed and graded coffee.
The minister also noted that a lower market price does not automatically mean farmers are making losses. Ministry models indicate that farmers who improve productivity and undertake basic value addition can break even when FAQ prices are around Shs7,000 per kilogramme, although drought-affected farmers may face significant losses.
The next six months are expected to remain important for the coffee market, with Brazil’s harvest, Vietnam’s Robusta exports and global weather conditions likely to influence supply and prices.
“It is, therefore, reasonable to expect a slight price recovery and stability over the coming six months,” Mr Tumwebaze said.
Government is supporting farmers through fertiliser and input distribution, irrigation and climate-smart agriculture programmes to protect production and improve quality.