Ugandan firms sell branded coffee to Swiss buyers

Ugandan coffee companies Gorilla Conservation Coffee and Carico Coffee have sold their branded coffee directly to Swiss consumers at the Swiss Coffee Festival in Zurich, as Uganda pushes to sell more roasted coffee under its own name.

It was Uganda’s first appearance at the festival, held from 31 October to 1 November.

The event, described by organisers as Switzerland’s largest coffee trade fair, attracted about 5,500 visitors and 78 exhibitors, according to Uganda’s embassy in Switzerland, which secured the stand for the two firms.

The companies held tastings, met potential buyers and sold their products at the festival.

“We are delighted to introduce more of Uganda’s exceptional coffee brands to Swiss consumers and look forward to building lasting partnerships with Swiss coffee traders, roasters and consumers,” said Marcel Tibaleka, Uganda’s ambassador to Switzerland.

Uganda exported 8.8 million 60kg bags of coffee worth $2.4bn (Shs8.8tn) in the 12 months to March 2026, up from 6.9 million bags worth $1.8bn a year earlier, according to the agriculture ministry.

Europe is the main market, taking 58% of exports in February, with Italy the largest buyer.

However, more than 98% of Uganda’s coffee is exported as unroasted green beans, according to the US Department of Agriculture. Officials say this means Ugandan coffee is often sold abroad without consumers knowing where it came from.

In June, the government launched a national coffee brand, “Uganda Coffee: It’s in Our Nature”, at the World of Coffee exhibition in Brussels.

The government is also encouraging investment in roasting and processing, and aims to produce more than 20 million bags a year by 2030.

Gorilla Conservation Coffee is run by Conservation Through Public Health, founded by Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka. The company says it pays farmers near Bwindi Impenetrable National Park $0.50 per kilo above the market price.

Carico Coffee says it buys directly from about 1,700 smallholder farmers in the Mount Elgon region of eastern Uganda.

In March, the embassy and the Swiss Coffee Traders Association organised a week-long visit to Uganda for young Swiss coffee traders.

The embassy said the festival would support its efforts to grow coffee exports and promote value addition.