Uganda targets 20 million coffee bags by 2030

Government is scaling up coffee production, strengthening traceability and promoting value addition as Uganda targets annual production of 20 million 60-kilogramme bags by 2030.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries has called on international coffee buyers and investors to explore opportunities across Uganda’s coffee value chain, including processing, packaging, commercial farming, irrigation and direct sourcing partnerships.

Speaking during the Uganda–UK & Ireland Coffee Familiarisation (FAM) Trip, Gordon Katwirenabo, Assistant Commissioner for Coffee Quality Assurance and Value Addition at MAAIF, said Uganda is strengthening production, quality assurance and market access to consolidate its position in the global coffee industry.

He noted that Uganda is Africa’s second-largest coffee producer and the continent’s leading producer of Robusta coffee, with the sector contributing approximately 24 per cent of the country’s foreign exchange earnings.

Coffee is grown in approximately 126 of Uganda’s 146 districts, supporting an estimated 12.5 million people directly and indirectly through farming, processing, trade and other activities along the value chain.

Katwirenabo said Uganda’s coffee production has grown from approximately 3.5 million 60-kilogramme bags in 2017, with Government targeting 20 million bags annually by 2030.

He explained that the strategy focuses on expanding production, improving farm productivity, providing quality planting materials, strengthening farmer organisations, promoting agro-processing and developing stronger market linkages.

During the last reporting year, Uganda exported approximately 8.1 million 60-kilogramme bags of coffee valued at US$2.1 billion, reflecting the sector’s contribution to the national economy and its growing presence in international markets.

However, he noted that Government is encouraging greater domestic processing, roasting, grinding and packaging to increase the value retained within the country.

On international market access, Katwirenabo identified the United Kingdom as an important destination for Ugandan coffee and said the familiarisation mission provides an opportunity to understand buyer requirements, address export challenges and establish direct commercial relationships.

He also highlighted progress in strengthening coffee traceability, noting that approximately 1.5 million farmers have been registered and more than 1.65 million farm plots mapped.

The systems are intended to help buyers verify the geographical origin and production history of Ugandan coffee while supporting compliance with international requirements, including the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).

Katwirenabo further highlighted Uganda’s diverse coffee-growing regions, including Mount Elgon, Rwenzori, Western Uganda, Southwestern Uganda and West Nile, which produce distinct Arabica and Robusta coffee profiles.

He encouraged visiting buyers and roasters to taste coffees from different regions, engage with producers and explore opportunities for market-specific products based on Uganda’s coffee quality and characteristics.

On investment, he identified opportunities in modern processing facilities, coffee branding and packaging, commercial farming, irrigation, climate-smart agriculture, joint ventures, direct sourcing, coffee shops and coffee tourism.

He noted that domestic coffee consumption is estimated at approximately seven per cent of production, presenting further opportunities for investors to grow local demand and expand Uganda’s coffee industry.

Katwirenabo also pointed to the wider market opportunities available through Uganda’s membership in the East African Community and the African Continental Free Trade Area, encouraging investors to consider Uganda as a base for accessing regional and continental markets.

“Uganda is ready to deepen its engagement with international coffee buyers, roasters, investors and other industry stakeholders,” he said, calling for stronger commercial collaboration, increased investment and technology transfer.

The Uganda–UK & Ireland Coffee Familiarisation Trip brings together international buyers and industry stakeholders to engage with Ugandan coffee producers, exporters and other value-chain actors, with the aim of translating market interest into trade, investment and lasting business partnerships