By Wanambwa Rogers

KIU, Main Campus – According to the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) monthly report for March 2022, Uganda’s monthly coffee export earnings have broken the $ 80m mark.

The report shows that Uganda’s coffee exports in March 2022 amounted to 478,023 60-kilo bags worth $ 80.99 million (UGX285.9bn).

This comprised 360,229 bags of Robusta valued at  $ 48.94 million and 117,798 bags of Arabica valued at $ 32.05 million. Although this indicates a decrease of 16.40% in quantity, there was an increase of 51.44% in value compared to the same month last year.

Comparing the quantity of coffee exported by type in the same month of last Coffee Year (March 2021), statistics show Robusta decreased by 26.96% in amount with an increase of 19.51% in value, while Arabica exports increased by 49.83% and 155.85% in quantity and value respectively.

The report indicates the decrease in Robusta exports was mainly attributed to lower yields this year that was characterized by drought in some regions. This led to a shorter primary harvest season in Central and Eastern regions and a short fly crop in Greater Masaka and South-Western regions.

The improvement in Arabica coffee exports is due to an on-year cycle characteristic of Arabica coffee production, the report adds.

“Shortage of shipping containers in Asia and weather-related concerns in Brazil fueled an increase in global prices,” the UCDA report reads.

Coffee exports for the 12 months (April 2021-March 2022) amounted to 6,515,642 60-kilo bags worth $ 790.33 million compared to 5,646,897 60-kilo bags valued at $ 522.91 million the previous year (April 2020- March 2021).

This represents a 15.38% and 51.14% increase in quantity and value.