By Stephen Nuwagira
Coffee growers in Ibanda district have a reason to smile as prices for the beverage continued to increase over the past three months. Robusta (clean) now goes for sh10,700 per kilogramme in Ibanda town, increasing from sh10,200 at the end of January. It costs sh10,500 in Bisheshe compared to sh10,000 two weeks ago.
This also shows a rise sh9,200 on January 15, and from sh8,700 at the beginning of December last year.
Prices for Arabica coffee beans have also inched up, trading at sh10,200 per kilogramme in Bisheshe and Ibanda town, indicating an increase from sh10,000 at the beginning of February.
Arabica was at sh8,000 per kilo at the start of December 2023.
Traders project robusta coffee prices to drop over the next weeks as its harvest season comes to an end. When the crop is off season, few traders come to the market, which hurts rates.
Meanwhile, the Arabica coffee prices are being supported by increased supply and quality beans coming to the market. However, traders say this season’s production could be low compared to the previous one.
Patience Katunge Akampa, from Bisheshe Cooperative Society, explains that usually after a good harvest, Arabica coffee production drops the next season given the ‘delicate’ nature of the variety.
According to Tihwayo, the chairperson of Nyakatookye Coffee Growers Cooperative Society, the flowering for Arabica coffee wasn’t good in most parts in the district, a pointer to low output this harvest season.
The Arabica coffee season has just started in Ibanda district, while that of robusta is ending.
Farmers happy
David Kiiza, a farmer in Katafaari, Kashangura in Kagongo Division, said the good prices have boosted the morale of farmers. As a result, we are now looking after the coffee as per recommended coffee husbandry practices to ensure quality, he added.
Meanwhile, Kiiza has called on the government to resume the distribution to farmers of free coffee wilt disease (CWD) resistant seedlings, saying this will further increase production and secure the sector.
UCDA indicative prices
According to Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) indicative prices for Thursday February 15, fair average quality (FAQ) coffee was ranged from sh10,000-11,000, kiboko sh5,000-5,500, Arabica parchment was going for between sh11,000 and sh12,000 while drugar coffee (clean) was at sh10,000-11,000. Friday February 16 was a public holiday in Uganda.
