By Rogers Wanambwa 

KIU, Main Campus – Uganda’s coffee exports in January 2022 amounted to 402,212 60-kilo bags worth US$61.98 million (UGX218bn), Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) monthly report for January 2022 says.

Comparing the quantity of coffee exported by type in the same month of last Coffee Year (January 2021), although Robusta decreased by 20.76% in quantity, it increased by 22.62% in value, while Arabica exports increased by 80.84% and 215.67% in quantity and value respectively.

 Coffee exports for the 12 months (February 2021-January 2022) amounted to 6,722,115 60-kilo bags worth US$ 741.03 million compared to 5,465,184 60-kilo bags valued at US$ 511.66 million the previous year (February 2020- January 2021). This represents a 23.26% and 38.18% increase in quantity and value.

The decrease in Robusta exports was mainly attributed to correction where two consecutive good harvests were associated with lower yields this year, also characterised by drought in some regions. This led to a shorter primary harvest season in Central and Eastern provinces as well as a short fly crop in Greater Masaka and South-Western areas,” the report reads in part.

It adds: “Shortage of containers and congestion at the Malabar border also affected exports. The Increase in Arabica coffee exports is due to an on-year cycle characteristic of Arabica coffee production. Shortage of shipping containers in Vietnam and weather-related concerns in Brazil fuelled an increase in global prices.”

Coffee Exports By Destination

The report says that Italy maintained the highest market share with 30.03% compared with 37.11% last month. It was followed by Sudan 17.02% (5.99%), Germany 10.15% (17.38%), Belgium 6.34% (3.59%) and Spain 5.61% (4.62%).