By Ali Twaha
Key coffee sector players, government officials and civil organisations will meet in Kampala to dialogue over efforts to push Uganda’s coffee sector forward.
Coffee is among the major cash crops in Uganda. Organised by the Southern and Eastern Africa Trade Information and Negotiations Institute (SEATINI), the engagement is aimed at unlocking the potential of the coffee sector.
“The objectives of the dialogue are; to bring together value chain actors in the coffee sector to share experiences and build synergies with policy makers, appreciate the dynamics of coffee at national, regional and global level and to chat a way forward on how to unlock the potential of the coffee value chains,” SEATINI said in a statement.
Latest data from Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UDCA) indicates that Uganda’s coffee exports for 12 months (November 2021-October 2022) totalled 5.83 million bags worth $883m compared to 6.55 million bags worth $652m the previous year (November 2020- October 2021) – representing a decrease of 11.02% in quantity.
The decrease in exports according to UCDA was mainly attributed to lower yields that were characterised by drought in most regions leading to a shorter main harvest season in Central and Eastern regions and also reduced harvests from Greater Masaka and South-Western regions.
Uganda produces a wide range of agricultural products including: coffee, tea, sugar, livestock, fish, edible oils, cotton, tobacco, plantains, corn, beans, cassava, sweet potatoes, cassava, millet, sorghum, and groundnuts.
However, these products are largely traded in their raw form thus fetch minimal returns for all value chain actors and for government.
