Uganda Emerges as Global Coffee Powerhouse with Record Exports and Japan Push

Tokyo, September 27, 2025 — Uganda has made a powerful statement on the global stage at Asia’s biggest coffee gathering, the SCAJ World Specialty Coffee Conference & Exhibition in Tokyo, positioning itself as one of the world’s fastest-rising coffee exporters and a dependable source of both Arabica and Robusta beans.

The showcase comes against the backdrop of a record-breaking performance for Uganda’s coffee industry. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), Uganda exported 7.93 million 60-kg bags in the twelve months to August 2025, generating US$ 2.24 billion in revenue — a 58.7% increase in value compared to the previous year. Coffee is now Uganda’s largest export earner, a cornerstone of rural livelihoods, and the country’s most recognizable global brand.

Uganda at the Heart of Asia’s Specialty Market

The SCAJ 2025 Expo, hosted at Tokyo Big Sight and expected to attract more than 75,000 visitors, is providing Uganda with a rare opportunity to market its unique coffee heritage. Exhibiting under the banner “UGANDA – THE PEARL OF AFRICA”, the Uganda pavilion is designed by MAAIF in partnership with the Embassy of Uganda in Japan.

The space highlights Uganda’s sustainability practices, diverse origins, and premium flavor profiles. Visitors are taking part in guided cuppings, live brewing demonstrations, and sustainability-focused discussions aimed at linking Japan’s coffee community with Ugandan farmers and exporters.

“Japan values quality, traceability, sustainability and authenticity. Uganda delivers all four – and with volumes that can sustain long-term partnerships,” said Tophace Kaahwa, Uganda’s Ambassador to Japan, at the opening ceremony.

Record-Breaking Exports Back the Story

In August 2025 alone, Uganda exported 855,441 bags of coffee worth US$ 202.75 million. Arabica exports surged by nearly 64% in value year-on-year, with premium lots such as Mt. Elgon A+ fetching US$ 9.42 per kilogram, among the highest prices for African Arabicas.

Robusta, Uganda’s backbone crop, grew strongly in volume, while Arabica’s value boom was driven by premium-grade harvests from new high-altitude regions. While Europe remains the largest destination (62%), Uganda is now targeting Asia (13%) — led by Japan — as the next frontier for specialty coffee growth.

From Bean to Cup: Uganda’s Story in Tokyo

Inside the pavilion, visitors are experiencing a journey from farm to cup. Visual displays showcase Uganda’s coffee landscapes — from the volcanic slopes of Mt. Elgon to the fertile Rwenzori Mountains.

Interactive tasting sessions are introducing Japan’s consumers to Uganda’s wide-ranging profiles: sweet, winey Arabicas and bold, chocolate-toned Robustas.

An 80-minute seminar series organized by MAAIF and the Embassy featured live tastings, brewing demonstrations, and talks on sustainability and climate-smart agriculture. Farmers’ stories are woven into the narrative, underscoring how coffee is transforming rural Uganda while meeting the highest international standards.

“The story of Uganda’s coffee is not just about exports, it is about transformation,” noted Gordon Katwirenabo, Assistant Commissioner for Quality Assurance and Value Addition at MAAIF. “From smallholder farmers to world-class exporters, Uganda is proving that quality, sustainability, and scale can go hand in hand.”

A Sector on the Rise

Uganda’s coffee renaissance is being powered by deliberate investment and favorable market dynamics. Improved agronomy, farmer training, and climate-smart practices have raised yields, while a strong focus on traceability and quality control has boosted buyer confidence in Europe, the Middle East, and now Asia.

The pavilion in Tokyo is doubling as a deal-making hub, where Ugandan exporters such as Mountain Harvest, Bugisu Cooperative Union (BCU), Just Know Your Coffee Cup (JKCC), Gorilla Highlands Coffee, and Crystal Coffee are engaging Japanese buyers. MAAIF and the Ugandan Embassy in Tokyo are facilitating negotiations to ensure partnerships, branding, and new contracts emerge from the showcase.

Building Uganda’s Global Coffee Identity

As the birthplace of Robusta and Africa’s largest Robusta exporter, Uganda is asserting its global leadership. Meanwhile, its high-altitude Arabicas are carving out space in the specialty segment, increasingly commanding premium prices.

MAAIF has emphasized that Uganda’s presence at SCAJ 2025 is part of a broader national coffee strategy to grow exports, boost farmer incomes, and cement Uganda’s place as a reliable supplier of quality coffee.

With world coffee consumption projected to grow at 2.2% annually, and supply constraints in traditional powerhouses like Brazil and Colombia, Uganda’s entry into Asia’s specialty coffee markets is timely.

“Uganda’s appearance at SCAJ 2025 is about telling the world that our coffee is world-class, sustainable, and ready for every market,” Katwirenabo concluded. “Our exports are at record highs — and this is just the beginning.”

Fast Facts: Uganda Coffee 2025

Annual Export Revenue (2024/25): US$ 2.24 billion (+58.7% YoY)

Annual Export Volume: 7.93 million bags (~462,000 tonnes, +17.9% YoY)

August 2025 Exports: 855,441 bags; US$ 202.75 million

Top Arabica Price: Mt. Elgon A+ at US$ 9.42/kg

Market Split: Europe 62%, Africa 23%, Asia 13%, North America 2%

Farm Gate Prices

(Aug 2025): Robusta Kiboko UGX 6,500/kg; FAQ UGX 13,500/kg; Arabica parchment UGX 14,500/kg

Japan Import Trends (Ugandan Green Coffee):

2021: US$ 4.3m (1.42m kg)

2022: US$ 6.7m (1.90m kg)

2023: US$ 12.0m (3.83m kg)

The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries Coffee Development Department regulates, promotes, and oversees the growth of Uganda’s coffee sector. Through research, farmer training, quality assurance, and international marketing, MAAIF works to position Uganda as a leading global coffee producer.