Coffee exports from Africa rose by 1.2 percent to 948,870 bags in January 2019 and by 5.8 per cent to 4 million bags in the first four months of coffee year 2018/19, according to the International Coffee Organisation (ICO).
Uganda is the largest exporter in the region, though its shipments declined by 8.8 per cent to 1.47 million bags in October 2018 to January 2019. Uganda grows both Arabica and Robusta coffee types.
Ethiopia is the region’s largest producer, but second largest exporter due to significant domestic consumption of coffee.
In the first four months of 2018/19, its exports decreased by 8.9 per cent to 1 million bags. However, growth in exports from Côte d’Ivoire and Tanzania have offset these declines.
Shipments from Côte d’Ivoire more than doubled in the first four months of 2018/19, amounting to 502,623 bags.
Exports from Tanzania increased by 55.7 percent to 399,540 bags. Coffee production in Africa is estimated 1.8 per cent higher at 17.8 million bags in 2018/19.
Ethiopia’s production is estimated to remain stable at 7.5 million bags, while Uganda’s production is estimated to rise 2.2 percent to 4.9 million bags. Output from Côte d’Ivoire and Tanzania is estimated at 1.6 million bags and 827,000 bags, respectively.
Meanwhile, in January 2019, world coffee exports amounted to 11.06 million bags, 2.6 per cent higher than in January 2018.
ICO says world shipments in the first four months of coffee year 2018/19 increased by 6.6 per cent to 41.96 million bags, reflecting the ample supply of coffee on the international market.