Overview:
Export earnings rose from USD 644.90 million in April 2024 to USD 1.11 billion, marking one of the strongest year-on-year growth rates in recent years.
Uganda’s merchandise exports surged by a remarkable 72.1% in April 2025, compared to the same period last year, according to the latest Performance of the Economy Report by the Ministry of Finance.
Export earnings rose from USD 644.90 million in April 2024 to USD 1.11 billion (about Shs4 trillion), marking one of the strongest year-on-year growth rates in recent years.
The growth was primarily driven by increased earnings from coffee, gold, electricity, cocoa beans, sugar, and beer, showcasing the resilience of Uganda’s key commodities despite global economic uncertainties.
On a month-to-month basis, export revenues also grew significantly—by 23.5%—from USD 899.1 million in March 2025, underlining steady momentum in external trade performance.
Coffee Exports Lead the Charge
Uganda’s top export, coffee, recorded exceptional growth in both value and volume. Revenues from coffee exports jumped by 153.1%, from USD 84.7 million in April 2024 to USD 214.4 million in April 2025. This performance was supported by two key factors:
- A 42.3% increase in global coffee prices, from USD 3.62/kg to USD 5.15/kg, largely driven by drought in Brazil and Vietnam—world leaders in Arabica and Robusta production.
- A substantial rise in export volumes, from 391,307 bags to 694,318 bags, thanks to improved yields, particularly in Masaka and South-Western Uganda.
The government’s strategic interventions in coffee production, including improved seedlings and farmer training, also contributed to the boost.
Italy remained the top destination for Uganda’s coffee, absorbing 42.0% of the exports. Other significant markets included Germany (11.3%), Spain (7.4%), India (6.8%), and Sudan (4.7%).
Non-Coffee, Non-Gold Exports Also on the Rise
Even when coffee and gold were excluded, Uganda’s merchandise exports rose significantly, by 37.2%, from USD 315.39 million in April 2024 to USD 432.81 million in April 2025. This signals a broad-based increase across multiple sectors, including base metals, electricity, and vanilla.
Such diversification reduces Uganda’s vulnerability to commodity-specific shocks and enhances the resilience of its export sector.
Middle East Remains Uganda’s Top Export Destination
Regionally, the Middle East remained Uganda’s largest export market, accounting for 35.7% of total export receipts in April 2025. Within the region, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) dominated, taking in 98.5% of Uganda’s exports to the Middle East.
The East African Community (EAC) ranked second, accounting for 24.4% of total exports. Within the EAC:
- DR Congo was the largest importer (30.8%),
- Followed by Kenya (23.3%),
- And South Sudan (21.2%).
The European Union (18.5%) and Asia (16.0%) followed as the third and fourth largest regional markets.
Outlook: Promising but Cautious
The strong performance of Uganda’s export sector in April reflects both favorable international commodity prices and improved domestic production. However, the Ministry of Finance cautions that external risks—such as climate shocks in global agricultural markets and geopolitical tensions—may impact future earnings.
Still, the April 2025 export figures suggest that Uganda’s ambition to expand its export base is bearing fruit, offering a promising trajectory for broader economic growth and balance of payments stability.