Uganda has officially risen to the top of Africa’s coffee industry, becoming the continent’s largest coffee producer after recording the highest export volumes and earnings in its history over the last year.
According to data released by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), Uganda exported a record 8.4 million 60-kilogram bags of coffee between November 2024 and October 2025, earning approximately US$2.4 billion (about UGX 8.2 trillion). The performance saw Uganda overtake Ethiopia to become Africa’s leading coffee producer by export volume.
“This represents an increase of 46.96 percent in quantity and 77.33 percent in value compared to the previous year,” MAAIF said in its October 2025 Monthly Coffee Report.
The figures mark the strongest year ever for Uganda’s coffee sector, underpinned by increased production, expanded market access, and favourable global prices. In the previous 12-month period (November 2023 to October 2024), Uganda exported 5.8 million bags worth US$1.3 billion.
October 2025 alone was a standout month, with coffee exports totaling 685,720 bags valued at US$185.56 million (UGX 642.7 billion). Of this, Robusta accounted for 597,925 bags, while Arabica exports stood at 87,795 bags.
Farm-gate prices remained attractive, boosting farmer incomes across major growing regions. Robusta Kiboko averaged UGX 7,000 per kilogram, while FAQ Robusta sold at about UGX 14,500 per kilogram. Arabica parchment averaged UGX 16,500 per kilogram, with Bugisu C/PB fetching the highest price at US$8.33 per kilogram on the export market.
MAAIF attributed the strong performance to improved production in Central and Eastern Uganda, where the main harvest season is underway, as well as sustained government interventions in farmer training, seed distribution, and extension services.
“New markets and bigger export volumes have driven this historic growth,” the ministry said, noting that Europe remained Uganda’s largest destination, accounting for 63 percent of exports in October 2025. Italy led individual markets with a 26.22 percent share, followed by Germany, Algeria, India and Switzerland.
Africa also remained an important destination, importing 108,540 bags during the month, with Algeria, Sudan, Morocco, Tunisia, South Africa, Kenya and Egypt among key buyers.
Robusta coffee continued to dominate Uganda’s export basket, making up 87 percent of total exports, though Arabica registered faster growth rates. Compared to October 2024, Arabica exports increased by 117 percent in quantity and 182 percent in value, reflecting rising demand for specialty and high-quality coffees from the Mount Elgon and West Nile regions.
The export trade was driven by 69 companies during October 2025, with the top 10 exporters accounting for 64 percent of total shipments, a sign of growing competition in the sector. Ugacof (U) Ltd led the market with a 12.44 percent share, followed by Kyagalanyi Coffee Ltd and Touton Uganda Limited.
Government officials say the milestone confirms Uganda’s position as a global coffee powerhouse and highlights the importance of agriculture to the country’s economy.
Uganda’s coffee success story is also closely tied to farmer-level interventions. In October alone, more than 5,700 farmers benefited from specialised training sessions aimed at improving productivity, quality and sustainability across all major coffee-growing regions.
With exports projected to remain strong into November 2025 and global coffee supplies expected to stay tight, authorities are optimistic that Uganda’s coffee earnings will continue to grow.
