Uganda’s year-on-year coffee exports increased 43.73 percent to reach 418,340 60-kg bags in August 2017 compared to 291,059 60-kg bags exported in the same period last year, the latest Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) report indicates.
The August 2017 exports fetched the country US$47.06 million, which was 56.4 percent higher than the 30.09 million earned in the same period in 2016.
However, on the monthly basis coffee exports in August were less compared to July’s 427,204 bags which fetched the country US$49.51 million.
Decline in the August coffee exports is attributed to the decline in the output on Arabica coffee whose delivery was affected by its biennal cycle of production.
Uganda, which grows both Robusta and Arabica coffee types, is Africa’s top exporter. Ethiopia is Africa’s leading producer of coffee though much of it consumed within the country, leaving less for export.
Uganda exports more Robusta than Arabica but the latter fetches a higher price due to its sweet aroma.
The destinations of Uganda’s coffee exports during the month of August 2017 were EU (295,590 bags) with a market share of 70.66% compared with 287,908 bags (67.39%) exported last month. EU was followed by Sudan (46,514 bags) or 11.12% compared to 58,184 bags or 13.62% the previous month.
India on the other hand, imported 27,320 bags (6.53%) compared to 15,555 (3.64%), USA -11,854 (2.83%) compared to 11,414 bags (2.67%), Morocco (10,879 bags) or -2.60% compared to 11,414 bags (2.67%) in July 2017. Coffee exports to Africa amounted to 68,196 bags, a market share of 16.30% compared to 84,177 bags with a market share of 19.70% exported in July 2017.
“Unchanged positions of destinations reflect their confidence in Uganda coffee,” UCDA says.
