Uganda – Africa’s largest exporter of coffee experienced decline in coffee exports in September due to the impact of a drought affecting many farming communities across the country.
The Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) said the country exported 503,695 60-kg bags of coffee beans in September, a 14% drop compared with the same period last year.
“The decrease in exports was mainly attributed to lower yields this year that were characterised by drought in most regions,” UCDA said, adding that the dry season had resulted in a shorter harvest time in central and eastern Uganda.
Uganda and Ethiopia (second largest exporter of coffee) relies on earnings from the crop as a major source of foreign exchange.
September is the last month of the crop year, which starts the previous October.
In the 2021-2022 (Oct-Sept) crop year, Uganda exported 5.9 million bags that fetched $876 million, down from 6.5 million bags worth $630.01 million.
Some years earnings are impacted by international coffee prices regardless of export volumes.
