KAMPALA. Uganda has overtaken Ethiopia to become Africa’s leading coffee exporter after shipping 8.6 million bags between June 2025 and May 2026, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries.
Dr Gerald Kyalo, the commissioner for Coffee Development at MAAIF, said the country exported 8.6 million 60-kilogramme bags during the period.
He said the exports earned Uganda $2.3b, equivalent to about Shs8.3 trillion.
“Between June 2025 and May 2026, we exported 8.6 million bags of 60kg coffee worth $2.3 billion, and as a country, we are happy that we are making more money from coffee while our farmers continue to earn a livelihood from the crop,” Dr Kyalo said yesterday.
Ethiopia’s Domestic Consumption Gives Uganda Export Edge
Dr Kyalo said Uganda’s rise to the top of Africa’s coffee export rankings was partly linked to Ethiopia’s high domestic coffee consumption.
“Ethiopia consumes about 50 percent of its coffee, while Uganda’s coffee exports have been growing exponentially over the last five years,” he said.
Industry data shows Uganda ranked among the world’s leading coffee producers in 2023, with output estimated at 5.29 million bags.
The country’s production is projected to rise to 5.86 million bags by 2028.
Uganda Eyes Bigger Share of Global Coffee Market
Following the strong export performance, Uganda is moving to deepen its presence in international coffee markets.
Uganda’s Embassy in Brussels, in partnership with MAAIF, is preparing to showcase Ugandan coffee at the World of Coffee 2026 exhibition in Belgium.
The event is organised by the Specialty Coffee Association. It is Europe’s largest specialty coffee trade event.
World of Coffee brings together producers, traders, roasters, baristas and coffee buyers from different parts of the world.
The exhibition will take place at Brussels Expo. Officials say it offers Uganda a chance to market its coffee directly to buyers and investors in a major global coffee market.
“The World of Coffee in Brussels offers a unique platform for Uganda to present its coffee story directly to the European market,” Uganda’s Embassy in Brussels said in a statement.
Specialty Coffees to Be Showcased in Brussels
Ugandan officials say the campaign aims to strengthen trade relations, attract investment and improve the country’s reputation as a producer of high-quality coffee.
For two days, Uganda’s exhibition stand will feature specialty coffees from key growing regions.
These include the slopes of Mount Elgon, the Rwenzori Mountains, West Nile and the central Robusta-growing belt.
The Brussels showcase comes as coffee continues to play a major role in Uganda’s export earnings and rural livelihoods
