Global coffee prices have tumbled as Robusta and Arabica futures dropped amid currency volatility and surging exports from Vietnam.
According to the Daily Coffee Market Analysis Report released on April 8, 2025, the international coffee market closed lower due to several macroeconomic factors, including currency fluctuations and the impact of oil prices.
On the London International Financial Futures and Options Exchange (LIFFE), Robusta coffee futures dipped, mirroring a similar downturn in the New York market.
The May position closed at $4,796 per tonne, marking a decline of $316, while the July position closed at $4,800, registering a loss of $328 from the previous closing.
Meanwhile, Vietnam, the world’s largest Robusta exporter, reported a 13.95% year-on-year increase in exports for March, shipping an impressive 3.05 million 60-kg bags, exerting downward pressure on global Robusta prices.
On the International Commodity Exchange (ICE), Arabica coffee also registered declines. The May position dropped to 344.80 US cents per pound, down 20.90 cents, while the July position closed at 341.95 US cents, down 21.35 cents.
These losses were largely attributed to the weakening of the Brazilian Real and the Colombian Peso, which were affected by new tariffs and volatile oil prices, making exports from these countries more competitive.
Local coffee market
Despite the international challenges, Uganda’s coffee market remains vibrant, with Robusta coffee prices showing encouraging performance.
According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), Robusta Screen 18 is selling at sh18,840 per kilo, Screen 15 at sh18,438 per kilo, and Screen 12 at sh18,196 per kilo.
Arabica coffee varieties also fetched competitive prices: Bugisu AA traded at sh27,373 per kilo, Bugisu A at sh27,292 per kilo, and Bugisu PB also at sh27,292 per kilo.
Farm-gate prices and trade volumes
Farm-gate prices further reflected strong domestic demand, with Fair Average Quality (FAQ) Robusta selling between sh13,000–13,700 per kilo, Kiboko Robusta between sh6,000–6,500 per kilo, Arabica parchment between sh15,000–15,500 per kilo, and Drugar (clean) between sh14,000–14,500 per kilo.
In terms of trade volumes, Robusta Screen 15 recorded the highest volume with 6,320 60-kg bags, followed by Robusta Screen 18 at 4,897 bags, Robusta Screen 12 at 4,890 bags, and Drugar Arabica at 1,280 bags.
February export performance
February 2025 marked a milestone for Uganda’s coffee export sector. The country exported 555,756 60-kg bags, earning $167.78 million, equivalent to sh613.2 billion. This represented a 27.93% increase in volume and a 103.25% increase in value compared to February 2024.
The average export price stood at $5.03 (sh18,385) per kilo, up from $4.74 (sh17,331) in January and $3.17 (sh11,589) in February 2024.
Farm-gate prices for Robusta Kiboko in February averaged sh7,750 per kilo, FAQ Robusta at sh15,500, Arabica parchment at sh14,500, and Drugar Arabica at sh3,250.
Over the 12-month period from March 2024 to February 2025, Uganda exported 6.57 million bags, earning $1.72 billion (sh6.287 trillion). This was an improvement from 6.14 million bags worth $999.84 million (sh3.655 trillion) the previous year—a growth of 6.99% in quantity and 70.71% in value.
Significantly, 71% of February’s total export volume was handled by 10 major exporters out of 61 active companies, slightly up from 70% in January.
Sector experts said Ugandan specialty coffee continued to attract premium prices on the global stage. Notably, Bugisu C/PB fetched the highest price in February 2025 at $8.18 per kilo, equivalent to sh29,900 per kilo.
Dr Michael Mugabira, a seasoned coffee farmer and industry expert, said the latest data underscored Uganda’s rising prominence in the global coffee market, driven by strong export performance, consistent farm-gate prices, and resilient Robusta and Arabica varieties.
