Recently, Uganda’s Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) released its March coffee export report. The country exported 329,686 60kg bags of coffee, valued at 246.8 billion Ugandan shillings (US$64.74 million). However, this figure is lower than the 434,582 60kg bags (314.7 billion shillings / US$82.56 million) exported in February. Compared to the same period last year, the quantity dropped by 32.4% and revenue fell by 9.45%.

The decline in March exports was due to the impact of El Niño, which brought heavy rainfall to the African region. The main production season in Uganda runs from October to March, and the downpours during this period knocked coffee cherries off the trees, leading to reduced yields. In addition, with soaring coffee prices, coffee theft cases within Uganda have increased.According to the monthly report, of the coffee exported in March, 244,975 bags were Robusta, valued at US$46.01 million, and 84,711 bags were Arabica, valued at US$18.72 million. Compared to the same period last year, the volume of Robusta beans fell by 33%, while revenue dropped by only 0.24%. Meanwhile, Arabica bean exports also decreased by 30% in volume, with revenue falling by 26%.

Due to adverse weather conditions in Vietnam, the world’s leading producer of Robusta, the supply of Robusta coffee has tightened. Earlier price increases discouraged farmers from selling their beans, triggering a wave of contract defaults and driving Robusta prices higher. This has benefited Uganda — despite a decline in coffee exports in March, revenue did not drop significantly.

Moreover, the country’s president previously stated that Uganda will strengthen coffee cultivation and increase production, with the goal of reaching 20 million bags by 2025. Additionally, due to growing coffee demand in China, where consumption is rising by 15%-20% annually, Uganda hopes to boost its coffee exports to China.