Uganda fetches Shs380b from coffee exports in July 2023

Uganda exported 645,83260 kilo bags of coffee in July 2023, fetching $104.99 million (about Shs386b), the monthly report by the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) indicates.

Of this, 586,871 bags were of Robusta valued at $92.59 million (about Shs340b) and 58,961 bags were of Arabica valued at $12.40 million (Shs46b).

According to the UCDA report released on Tuesday, this was an increase of 12.16% and 25.85% in quantity and value respectively compared to the same month last year.

By comparing quantity of coffee exported by type in the same month of last Coffee Year (July 2022), Robusta increased by 11.40% and 29.79% in quantity and value respectively, while Arabica exports increased by 20.33% and 2.59% in quantity and value respectively.

According to UCDA, The monthly coffee exports performance was higher than the previous year which was seen in Robusta exports and was partly on account of a good crop harvest in South-Western region and the prevailing good prices on the global scene which prompted exporters to release their stocks.

Coffee exports for 12 months (August 2022-July 2023) totaled 5.83 million bags worth US$ 867.50 million compared to 6.13 million bags worth US$ 862.28 million the previous year (August 2021-July 2022). This represents a decrease of 5% in quantity and 0.6% increase in value. The decrease was pegged on a drought and increasing incidence of pests and diseases in Robusta growing areas.

In terms of top exporting companies, Ugacof (U) Ltd had the highest market share of 14.35% compared to 15.77% in July 2023. It was followed by Olam Uganda Ltd 9.33% (9.54%); Ideal Quality Commodities Ltd 7.78% (10.30%) Louis Dreyfus Company (U) Ltd 7.55% (8.22%); Kyagalanyi Coffee Ltd 7.11% (6.12%), Touton Uganda Limited 6.90% (5.96%); Kawacom (U)Ltd 6.33% (5.17%); JBER Coffee Ltd 4.34% (5.03%); Ibero (U)Ltd 4.27% (3.88%); and Besmark Coffee Company Limited 3.60% (2.59%).

Italy maintained the highest market share of Uganda’s coffee exports, with 37.80% compared to 37.68% last month. It was followed by Sudan 18.37% (15.77%), Germany 10.96% (12.13%), India 7.51% (7.85%) and Morocco 4.21% (1.67%)