By Stephen Nuwagira
Coffee farmers in Ibanda district are experiencing mixed fortunes as the prices for Arabica and Robusta coffee beans (clean) move in different directions.
A mini-survey by New Vision shows that while Arabica coffee has risen by sh1,000, Robusta shed almost the same amount of value (sh700) over the past two weeks.
Currently, Arabica coffee trades at sh13,500 a kilo in Ibanda town, Ibanda Municipality compared to sh12,500 on June 10.
Dealers say the increase is supported by demand that is outweighing the supply side, noting that the beverage was scarce.
Godwin Musinguzi, a coffee buyer in Igorora town, said Arabica coffee was “scarce.”
Arabica coffee is currently out of season with the new harvest season expected to start in September.
Meanwhile, the price of Robusta coffee has dropped to sh12,800 per kilogram in Ibanda town, lower than the sh13,500 recorded in mid-July and sh13,000 on June 10.
It goes for sh12,000 a kilo in Igorora Town Council, Ibanda South County, lower than sh12,500 previously.
Traders and coffee cooperatives attribute the drop to the fact that the harvest season has ended, saying the beans coming to the market were of low outturn and poor quality.
Deogratias Tihwayo, from Nyakatookye Coffee Growers Cooperative Society, said buyers had left the market, suppressing the prices given the low interest.
He added that many of the coffee processing plants were now closed with minimal supplies trickling in.
When the harvest season ends, only a few buyers stay active in the market, something that hurts prices.
UCDA prices
According to Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) indicative prices for this week, fair average quality (FAQ) is projected to cost between sh12,000 and sh13,000 per kilogram, Kiboko sh5,500-6,000, while Arabica Parchment will range from sh13,00-13,500, and drugar coffee (clean) at sh11,500-12,000.
