Coffee exports and earnings rise in November

Uganda’s coffee exports in November 2016 were 408,027 60-kilo bags worth $50.41 million, a 64% increase in volume and 101% rise in value compared to the same period in the previous year, a report released by the Uganda Coffee Development Authority shows.

Robusta coffee made up the majority of the exports, amounting to 278,425 bags worth $31.51 million. The more valuable arabica crop contributed 32% to total volume (129,782 bags) and 37% ($18.90 million) to the earnings from the exports. Coffee is Uganda’s most valuable export.

“Compared to the same month last year, Robusta exports increased by 76.82% while Arabica exports increased by 41.74%,” the UCDA report says. “Similarly, Robusta and Arabica values increased by 112.37% and 85.07% respectively compared to November 2015.”

In the twelve months to 30 November 2016, 3.46 million bags of coffee worth $353 million were exported versus 3.48 million bags worth $398 million in the corresponding period the previous year. This reflects a reduction of 0.52% and 11.29% in quantity and value, respectively. UCDA however notes that there was an 18.09% increase in the more valuable Arabica exports compared to the previous period.

The European Union was the largest buyer, with 62.14% of total exports destined to the bloc. Sudan followed with a market share of 19.19%, India with 5.10%, Tunisia with 4.50%, and the United States with 3.13%. The USA was, however, the second largest buyer of Arabica with 9.60% of total exports after the EU, which accounted for 63.70%.

Uganda is Africa’s largest exporter of coffee, even though Ethiopia produces more of the crop; the Ethiopians consume most of their coffee.