By Stephen Nuwagira
Uganda’s coffee exports were up in October 2023, with the country raking sh298.2 billion in revenue during the period. According to Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) monthly report for October, about 470,080 60-kilo bags, worth $78.96 million (about sh298.2 billion) were shipped out of the country last month. This comprised 410,113 bags of Robusta valued at $66.87 million (sh252.56 billion) and 59,967 bags of Arabica valued at $12.10 million or sh45.7 billion.This was an increase of nearly 3.4% in quantity exported and 18.3% in value compared to the same month last year, says the report.
The amount of Robusta coffee shipments was also up by over 3.4%, higher than the same month of last Coffee Year (October 2022), while earnings grew by over 26%. Arabica export volumes rose by more than 2.8% during the period under review, with revenue expanding by over 12%, indicates the UCDA report.
Good prices
The sector watchdog attributed the exports performance improved on the back of a good crop harvest in south-western region and the prevailing good prices on the global scene that prompted exporters to release their stocks.
Robusta was exported at an average price of $2.73/kilo (over sh10,311 per kilo) last month, US cents 7 higher than September 2023 and US cents 35 higher than $2.36/kilo (or sh8,913.7) in October 2022, the reports shows. This indicates an increase of nearly 3.4% in quantities exported while value was up 18.3% compared to the same month last year.
During the month, farm-gate prices for Robusta Kiboko averaged sh3,900 per kilo, FAQ (fair average quality) was at sh7,650 per kilo, while Arabica parchment cost sh9,250 per kilo and that of Drugar sh8,250.
Yearly returns up
Uganda’s coffee exports for the 12 months, from November 2022 to October 2023, amounted to 6.16 million bags worth $952.24 million (about sh3.59 trillion) compared to 5.83 million bags worth $883.30 million (about sh3.33 trillion) in the previous period (November 2021 to October 2022, the report shows. This was over 5.5% increase in volumes while revenue grew 7.8%, it adds.
Destination
The country’s coffee was mainly bought by Italy, Germany, Spain, India, Algeria, Morocco, Kenya, South Africa, Sudan and Egypt. However, Europe remained the main importer of Uganda’s coffee, taking over 68% of the total exports, according to UCDA.
