Africa-Press – Uganda. The irresistible aroma of Ugandan coffee has drifted far beyond the farms of Bugisu and Buganda to the the slopes of Mt Elgon and the Rwenzoris, capturing global attention and culminating in a historic milestone.
Exports soared to $2.24 billion in the year ending August 2025, a 58.7% jump from the previous year.
That achievement took center stage at Asia’s largest coffee gathering, the SCAJ World Specialty Coffee Conference & Exhibition in Tokyo, where Uganda’s beans proved impossible to ignore.
Exhibiting under the banner, “Uganda – The Pearl of Africa,” the country’s pavilion — organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) alongside Uganda’s Embassy in Japan — drew steady crowds lured by live brewing demonstrations, farmer-centered sustainability talks, and cupping sessions that showcased the bold character of Robusta and the delicate florals of highland Arabicas.
According to MAAIF, Uganda exported 7.93 million 60-kg bags of coffee, about 462,000 tonnes, over the past year.
In August 2025 alone, exports hit 855,441 bags worth $202.75 million. Arabica beans — often praised for their fruity notes and clean finish — rose nearly 64% in value compared to the same month last year, with premium lots such as Mt Elgon A+ fetching US$ 9.42 per kilogram, among Africa’s highest premiums.
Uganda is now Africa’s leading coffee exporter, ahead of Ethiopia, with coffee as its top foreign exchange earner.
More than 12 million Ugandans draw livelihoods from the sector, from the farm to the export warehouse.
While Europe still consumes the lion’s share at 62%, Asia is the fastest-growing market.
Japan, in particular, has doubled its appetite, importing 3.83 million kg of Ugandan coffee in 2023 compared to 1.42 million kg in 2021.
“Japan values quality, traceability, sustainability and authenticity. Uganda delivers all four,” said Uganda’s Ambassador to Japan, Tophace Kaahwa, as visitors queued for a taste of the Pearl’s brews.
Ugandan exporters including Mountain Harvest, Bugisu Cooperative Union, Gorilla Highlands Coffee, and Crystal Coffee reported new partnership discussions as they poured cup after cup in Tokyo.
For officials, the spotlight reaffirmed Uganda’s status not just as the birthplace of Robusta but as a rising force in specialty Arabica.
“The story of Uganda’s coffee is not just about exports, it is about transformation,” said Gordon Katwirenabo, Assistant Commissioner for Quality Assurance and Value Addition.
Charlotte Kemigisa, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Agriculture, a seminar profiling the Robustas and Arabicas and cupping received “very great feedback on the taste of Uganda’s coffee”.
Back home, the government has set its sights on exporting 20 million bags annually by 2030.
The Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) continues to distribute seedlings, train farmers, and drive value addition.
Even traditional kingdoms are part of the effort: Buganda has intensified its Emmwanyi Terimba campaign — “Coffee Never Lies” — urging every household to plant coffee as a path to prosperity.
With global coffee demand expected to rise by 2.2% each year and supply tightening from producers like Brazil and Colombia, Uganda’s beans are winning new admirers worldwide.
From the earthy Robusta that anchors espressos to the aromatic Arabicas that woo specialty buyers, Uganda is steadily cementing its place as one of the world’s most captivating coffee origins.
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