Africa-Press – Uganda. Uganda’s export earnings recorded a significant rebound in November 2025, rising 70.5% year-on-year, highlighting the increasing contribution of commodities, particularly coffee and gold, to the country’s external trade performance.
According to the Performance of the Economy Report for December 2025, export receipts grew from USD 698.46 million (Shs 2.73 trillion) in November 2024 to USD 1,190.51 million (Shs 4.64 trillion) in November 2025. This sharp increase was largely driven by higher coffee and gold earnings during the review period.
Coffee Exports Lead Growth
Coffee remained one of the standout performers, with export earnings rising 70.8%, from USD 108.91 million (Shs 424.7 billion) in November 2024 to USD 185.99 million (Shs 725.8 billion) in November 2025. This growth was supported by increased coffee production in central and eastern Uganda during the peak harvest season, coupled with improved global coffee prices.Month-on-Month Decline
Despite the strong year-on-year performance, Uganda’s merchandise exports fell 20.4% compared to October 2025. Export earnings dropped from USD 1,496.45 million (Shs 5.83 trillion) in October to USD 1,190.51 million (Shs 4.64 trillion) in November, primarily due to a 33.7% decline in gold export earnings, which fell from USD 964.60 million (Shs 3.76 trillion) to USD 639.26 million (Shs 2.49 trillion).
Non-gold exports, however, saw moderate growth, rising 3.6% month-on-month, from USD 531.85 million (Shs 2.07 trillion) to USD 551.25 million (Shs 2.15 trillion). This increase was driven by commodities such as cocoa beans, tobacco, fish, and other agricultural and manufactured goods, reflecting gradual diversification beyond gold.
Export Destinations
Regionally, the Middle East remained Uganda’s largest export market, accounting for 42.7% of total merchandise export earnings, with revenues rising by USD 270.06 million (Shs 1.05 trillion). The East African Community (EAC) followed with a 21.7% share, while Asia and the European Union accounted for 16.9% and 13.5%, respectively.
Notably, exports to Asia and the European Union nearly doubled compared to October. Exports to Asia surged from USD 92.2 million (Shs 359.6 billion) to USD 201 million (Shs 783.9 billion), while exports to the EU rose from USD 87.3 million (Shs 340.5 billion) to USD 160 million (Shs 624 billion), signaling improved market access and demand.
Imports Also Rise Year-on-Year
On the import side, Uganda’s merchandise imports expanded 36.5% year-on-year, from USD 1,042.12 million (Shs 4.06 trillion) in November 2024 to USD 1,422.84 million (Shs 5.55 trillion) in November 2025. Growth was largely driven by formal private sector imports of non-oil items such as prepared foodstuffs, machinery, vehicles, and gold.
However, imports declined 9.4% month-on-month, from USD 1,570.91 million (Shs 6.12 trillion) in October to USD 1,422.84 million (Shs 5.55 trillion) in November. Formal non-oil private sector imports led the decline, falling 10.3% from USD 1,405.43 million (Shs 5.48 trillion) to USD 1,260.38 million (Shs 4.91 trillion).
Major Sources of Imports
In November 2025, the EAC and Asia remained Uganda’s largest sources of imports, accounting for 30.4% and 28.5% of total imports, respectively. Within the EAC, Tanzania was the top source, contributing 55.2% of regional imports. In Asia, China dominated, accounting for 52.6% of imports from the region. Other notable sources included the Rest of Africa (19.6%) and the Middle East (10.5%).
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