By Muhoozi Nelson Mandela
Every October, the world turns its attention to one of the most consumed beverages globally—coffee.
The month, highlighted by World Coffee Day on October 1st, celebrates coffee’s journey from farms to cups, acknowledging the farmers, processes, and culture surrounding the beloved brew.
Established by the International Coffee Organization (ICO) in 2015, World Coffee Day seeks to raise awareness about the importance of coffee, promote sustainability, and address challenges faced by coffee farmers, particularly in developing countries.
Uganda is one of Africa’s leading coffee producers and plays a vital role in the global coffee trade, making October an important month for the country.
UCDA’s message
Dr Emmanuel Iyamulemye, the Managing Director of the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) wished the farmers and the country at large an abundance of coffee harvest.
“I wish them to enjoy abundant harvest. I urge coffee farmers to continue producing in a sustainable way so that we can secure new markets and maintain current ones, especially in the EU,” he said.
He added, “I encourage farmers to register with remunerators to ensure compliance with the European Union Deforestation-Free Products Regulation (EUDR). In addition, we look forward to officially celebrating October Coffee Month on October 3, 2024, as we promote sustainability in Uganda’s coffee sector.”
Coffee farmers embrace the celebration
John Nuwagaba, a coffee farmer and buyer from Ankole in western Uganda, underscored the significance of October as a pivotal month for coffee farmers.
“Farmers must follow good agronomical practices in coffee farming,” Nuwagaba emphasized.
He urged farmers to not only plant more coffee but to focus on quality, ensuring that Ugandan coffee remains competitive in the global market.
Bernard Sabiti, a coffee farmer and exporter from Besmark Coffee Company Ltd, echoed similar sentiments.
“The prices are still favourable, and we expect the trend to continue,” Sabiti noted.
However, he stressed the urgency of the government fast-tracking compliance with the European Union Deforestation-Free Products Regulation (EUDR).
“We need to ensure that Uganda’s coffee is compliant with international standards, especially as the EU remains a significant buyer,” he added.
Regulations, sustainability efforts
The European Union Deforestation-Free Products Regulation (EUDR) requires that coffee exporters prove their products are not linked to deforestation after December 31, 2020.
Uganda’s coffee sector faces a major challenge in adapting to this regulation, which could impact future exports to Europe, Uganda’s largest coffee export market.
According to the Uganda Coffee Federation’s Chief Executive Officer, Martin Maraka, the private sector is already taking steps to ensure compliance.
“We’ve begun registering coffee farmers to comply with the EUDR, as the EU will not reverse its stance on this policy,” Maraka said.
He urged the government to expedite the registration process, which will enable Uganda to maintain its access to key European markets.
Coffee exports on the rise
Despite regulatory challenges, Uganda’s coffee exports have consistently grown. In August 2024, UCDA reported a notable increase in coffee exports, with 837,915 60kg bags of coffee, valued at $221.63 million (sh819.03 billion), exported.
This represents a 5.3% rise from July’s revenue, showcasing Uganda’s strength in the global coffee trade.
Iyamulemye attributed this growth to the increased demand for Uganda’s Robusta coffee.
“The rising demand for instant coffee, particularly in Asia and Africa, has boosted Uganda’s coffee trade,” Iyamulemye stated.
Robusta coffee, which is more affordable than Arabica, has gained prominence due to supply constraints in key Arabica-growing regions like Brazil.
Global demand, supply chain issues
The global coffee industry is not without its challenges. Dry conditions in Brazil and Vietnam have impacted coffee yields, contributing to rising global prices.
However, the US Department of Agriculture’s June 2024 report noted that global coffee consumption is expected to reach 170.6 million bags in the 2024/25 season, up by 3.1 million bags from the previous year.
Better coffee future
As Uganda strengthens its position as one of the world’s leading coffee producers, there is optimism for the future.
Stakeholders said Uganda’s coffee quality has seen significant improvements, with the country now ranked third globally in coffee quality.
They said this achievement is largely attributed to strict enforcement of good agricultural practices and improved post-harvest handling methods.
Robert Byaruhanga, the President of the Uganda Coffee Federation, is optimistic about Uganda’s coffee industry, especially as the country navigates global regulations and market demands.
“There’s no doubt that Uganda’s coffee sector is on a solid growth path. If we can continue focusing on quality and sustainability, the future looks bright,” he noted.
