Uganda has moved ahead of Ethiopia to become Africa’s largest coffee exporter, driven by a sharp rise in production and stronger global prices, according to figures released by the country’s agriculture ministry.
Data from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries show Uganda exported a record 8.4 million 60-kilogram bags of coffee in the year to October 2025, earning about US$2.4 billion. That marks the highest export revenue ever recorded by the country’s coffee industry and represents a near-47% increase in volumes and a 77% jump in value compared with the previous year.
The export total exceeds Ethiopia’s reported 7.82 million bags for the 2024/25 season, placing Uganda at the top of the African rankings.
Officials attributed much of the growth to a surge in arabica coffee shipments, which more than doubled year-on-year, while export earnings from the variety almost tripled. Robusta exports also rose solidly, supported by improved harvests in central and eastern regions and favourable international prices linked to weather concerns in major producing countries such as Brazil and Vietnam.
Europe remained Uganda’s primary market, taking nearly two-thirds of shipments, with Italy and Germany the largest buyers. The International Coffee Organization forecasts Africa’s coffee exports will reach a record high in 2025, with Uganda and Ethiopia accounting for the bulk of supply.
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