Uganda coffee exports hit record high, promoted at Swiss Expo

LUGANO, Switzerland — Uganda’s coffee exports reached the highest level in the nation’s history, with new figures showing the country exported a record 8.2 million 60-kilogram bags valued at $2.3 billion in the latest year.

The export performance marked a 64% increase in value and a 30% rise in volume compared to the previous year.

Figures from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries showed Uganda cemented its position as Africa’s top coffee exporter in September, shipping 844,949 bags worth $218.6 million. This represents a 56% increase in quantity and 48% growth in value year-on-year for the month.

Promoting Growth in Switzerland

Building on this success, Uganda is promoting its growth story, sustainability and adventure at the Swiss International Holiday Expo (SIHE) 2025 in Lugano, Switzerland, running from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2. This is the first time Uganda has participated in Switzerland’s main tourism and lifestyle exhibition, which draws more than 400 international exhibitors.

Ambassador Marcel Tibaleka, Uganda’s permanent representative to the United Nations in Geneva, emphasized the strategic importance of the location.

“Switzerland is one of the world’s leading coffee trading and consumption markets,” Tibaleka said. “Showcasing Uganda’s record coffee success here — alongside our tourism and investment potential — opens new frontiers for the country’s economic diplomacy.”

Uganda’s showcase, coordinated by its Permanent Mission in Geneva, highlights the country’s ‘coffee, culture and adventure’ under the theme From Bean to Beauty: Experience Uganda.

Ambassador Arthur Kafeero, Uganda’s deputy permanent representative in Geneva, connected the country’s top export to its tourism potential.

“Coffee is not just Uganda’s top export; it is also an experience that embodies our landscapes, our people, and our creativity,” Kafeero said. “Through Lugano, we are linking our finest coffee with our finest tourism stories.”

The integrated promotion focuses on coffee tourism, offering experiences that take visitors from “bean to cup” through farm visits, tastings and origin trails across regions like Mount Elgon and the Rwenzori Mountains.

The Uganda Tourism Board is also promoting the country’s broader offerings, including gorilla trekking, wildlife safaris, and cultural heritage tours.

“Uganda’s coffee success story reinforces our wider national brand — one that combines natural beauty, world-class products, and warm hospitality,” Tibaleka added.