Uganda’s coffee exports decreased for the second consecutive month in December, with a drop in arabica shipments that the regulator blamed on a small crop in the high-altitude Elgon region and rains that delayed the drying of newly harvested beans.
The Uganda Coffee Development Authority said 401,336 bags of coffee were exported during the month, down 4.2 per cent from a year ago.
The total value of exports rose 10.8 per cent on year to $65.9mn, while the average price was $2.74 per kilo, up from $2.37 a year ago but down 3 cents on the previous month.
Robusta bean exports increased by 1.7 per cent to 337,026 bags, while their value rose 30.3 per cent to $52.8mn. Arabica exports fell to 64,310 bags valued at $13.1mn, down 26.4 per cent and 31 per cent respectively.
Exports in the twelve months to December — calendar year 2023 — were 6.1 million bags valued at $965.1mn, up 12.2 per cent and 8.6 per cent respectively on the previous year.
