Uganda’s export data released showing significant increase in coffee revenue in December 2024 to $115m
February 08 - 2025
Coffee Geography Magazine
Uganda’s Ministry of Agriculture reported that Uganda’s coffee export revenue has risen to USD 115.02 Million, in December 2024. Information from MAAIF indicates that Uganda exported 413,221 60-kg bags of coffee in December 2024, generating USD 115.02 Million in revenue, marking an increase from November 2024, when 400,536 60-kg bags were exported, earning USD 108.91 Million, reinforcing Uganda’s position as one of the leading coffee exporters in Africa.
Despite the achievement by UCDA (Uganda Coffee Development Authority) which oversee the production and sustainability of the coffee production, the government is doubling down to dissolve the authority’s mandate and existence as the regulatory body for the coffee industry. UCDA brought coffee as the second biggest foreign currency earner for the country after gold.
The transition raised concerns among stakeholders regarding the continuity of key functions, such as quality control, extension services, and export facilitation. However, the Ministry of Agriculture has assured farmers, traders, and exporters that all regulatory and enforcement mechanisms previously under UCDA remain in place and fully operational.
According to MAAIF, for a seamless transition, technical staff from the dissolved agencies has been retained ensuring that crucial services such as monitoring, certification, and advisory support continue without interruption.
Despite the positive export performance, the Ministry has raised concerns over reports of poor post-harvest handling in some parts of the country. There have been instances of premature coffee harvesting and poor drying of Fair Average Quality (FAQ) coffee, which could undermine Uganda’s export standards and reputation in international markets.
The government has urged stakeholders to uphold best agronomic and harvesting practices to protect Uganda’s competitive edge in the global coffee market.
December 2024 exports were shipped to key destinations including Italy, Germany, the USA, China, India, Algeria, and Morocco. The increase in both volume and value of exports signals growing confidence in Uganda’s coffee industry and the effectiveness of government policies aimed at improving the sector’s sustainability.