This represents a 6.33% increase in value from the previous financial year, when Uganda exported 5.8m bags, bringing in $846m. The achievement also marks Uganda’s coffee sector’s highest earnings in 30 years.
The region’s growth in this sector can be largely attributed to the improved quality of its coffee, the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) said.
The authority added that it has played a ‘pivotal role’ in this achievement, rolling out stringent quality controls and providing support to farmers. These efforts include training in best agricultural practices and access to high-quality inputs.
The UCDA, which was established 1991, is a government agency charged with regulating, enhancing and promoting the region’s coffee along the entire value chain. It also helps to champion R&D and supports the marketing of its coffee to optimise foreign exchange earnings for the country and payments to farmers.
As part of this, the authority has launched the Coffee Roadmap, which sets an ambitious target of producing 20m 60kg bags by 2030. Signed by H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in 2017, the roadmap aims to generate USD 1.5bn annually from these 20m bags.
Commenting on the news, Dr Emmanuel Iyamulemye, managing director of UCDA said this milestone demonstrates that its target is within reach.
“I’m proud to announce that Uganda exported 667,0376 kg of coffee in June 2024, valued at $162.36m,” Iyamulemye said. “This volume contributes to the total export of 6.13m bags valued at $1.144bn for the Financial Year 2023/24.
“This is a record high value and a significant milestone for the sector, with an increase of 6% in quantity and 35% in value compared to FY 2022/23. We have proven that the 20 million bags target of the Coffee Roadmap is achievable.”
