By Stephen Nuwagira
The prices of coffee have increased in Ibanda district month-on-month boosted by growing demand and quality beans, according to dealers and farmers.
Arabica coffee now costs up to shillings 14,000 per kilogramme, rising from 13,000 during the first week of November.
However, Arabica coffee goes for shillings 13,500 a kilo in Kashangura, Kagongo Division in Ibanda municipality compared to between 12,000 and 12,500 over the same period. Robusta coffee beans go for 13,700 up from 12,000.
Deogratias Tihwayo of Nyakatookye Coffee Growers Co-operative Society, on December 3, 2024, said the prices have been lifted by growing interest from Kampala bulk buyers.
“The coffee beans coming onto the market have good outturn which attracts buyers,” he added. He, however, noted that the supply was also still low.
The Arabica coffee harvest season has largely ended, while that of Robusta coffee started over a month back and is expected to end in January next year.
Januario Turyamureeba, the chairperson of Kashangura Coffee Co-operative Society in Kagongo division, projects the price of Robusta coffee to hit the shillings 15,000 by the end of the month.
He advises farmers to harvest only the red cherries and continue ensuring proper post-harvest handling of the coffee, including proper drying to achieve the recommended 13% moist content.
The co-operative leader also encouraged the farmers to always market the coffee through organised groups to get better returns.
Farmers’ plea
Meanwhile, Turyamureeba has appealed to the Government to provide agricultural loans to rural farmers to enable them to improve their plantations.
“The Government should also continue searching for better markets for the coffee so that we reap handsomely from our sweat and investment,” said the official.
Coffee growing is one of the enterprises promoted by Ibanda, along with dairy farming, banana growing and piggery. The district mainly grows Robusta coffee, with Arabica coffee grown in highland areas – Rukiri and Kicuzi, among others.
