Overview:
Uganda saw a 7.9% increase in coffee revenue this February despite a dip in unit value. Explore the latest agricultural ministry data on coffee, gold, and regional trade trends.
KAMPALA, Uganda — Uganda earned $180 million from coffee exports in February, a 7.9% increase from the same month last year despite a dip in global prices, according to the Ministry of Agriculture.
The country shipped 651,933 bags of coffee during the month, up from 555,756 bags in February 2025. The surge in volume helped offset an 8% drop in average prices, which fell to $4.63 per kilogram from $5.03 a year ago.
Italy remained the top destination for Ugandan coffee, claiming a 28.8% market share. Sudan, Germany, India and Morocco followed as key buyers. Regionally, exports to African nations rose to 140,694 bags, accounting for 22% of the total monthly shipments.
While coffee performance remained strong, gold continued to dominate the nation’s trade balance. Total merchandise exports reached $1.4 billion in February, a 63.7% jump compared to $839 million in 2025. Gold receipts alone accounted for $818 million, more than doubling year-over-year earnings.
The Ministry of Finance noted in its latest performance report that while annual growth is high, total export earnings fell 5.5% from January, largely due to a month-on-month decline in gold shipments.
Other agricultural commodities showed mixed results. Maize exports surged 121.7% to $10 million, while beans and flowers also saw year-on-year gains. However, tobacco and cotton took significant hits. Tobacco earnings fell to $5.9 million from $17 million last year, and cotton plummeted to $0.78 million from $2.62 million.
Maj. Gen. David Kasura Kyomukama, the agriculture ministry’s permanent secretary, said the growth in key sectors stems from government efforts to improve productivity and quality standards.
The Middle East remains Uganda’s primary export destination, taking 47.6% of all goods. The United Arab Emirates alone absorbed nearly 99% of those regional exports. The East African Community followed as the second-largest market at 20.1%.