The Ugandan government has called on coffee farmers to remain resilient in the face of challenges affecting the industry. According to Frank Tumwebaze, minister of agriculture, animal industry and fisheries, the global coffee market has experienced downward pressure due to increased supplies from major producing countries, particularly Brazil and Vietnam. This has resulted in a decline in coffee prices, affecting Uganda's coffee exports. The minister emphasized that the current price movement is not unique to Uganda, but rather part of a wider international market adjustment.
Uganda is also facing domestic supply challenges due to a prolonged period of drought and unusually high temperatures in several coffee-growing areas. The resulting water stress has affected coffee flowering, cherry development, bean filling, and ultimately, processing yields and quality. Tumwebaze noted that the impact of this drought on coffee production at farm level has been felt at the national level. The country's coffee exports have declined, with 846,376 60-kg bags exported in July 2026, down from 997,105 bags in the same month a year earlier.
Coffee export earnings have also declined, falling to 204.1 million U.S. dollars in July 2026 from 250.7 million dollars in July 2025. Despite these challenges, Tumwebaze stressed that farmers are not necessarily facing losses, as a decline in prices does not automatically mean farmers are operating at a loss. He urged farmers and other players in the coffee value chain not to lose confidence, saying the resilience of Uganda's coffee industry continues to make coffee production and related activities profitable.
The minister added that the government is implementing measures to help farmers recover from the effects of adverse weather, mitigate future climate risks, and raise productivity and incomes. These measures aim to support coffee farmers, who are a crucial part of Uganda's economy. With about 1.7 million households depending on coffee, the crop remains a key commodity in Uganda's economic agenda.
Tumwebaze attributed the immediate pressure on coffee prices partly to increased Brazilian exports as that country's harvest approached completion. This highlights the interconnectedness of the global coffee market and the impact of production levels in major producing countries on prices. Uganda's coffee industry is not immune to these fluctuations, but the government is working to mitigate the effects.
The decline in coffee exports and earnings has significant implications for Uganda's economy. Coffee is one of the country's major export crops, and a decline in production and earnings can have far-reaching consequences for the country's foreign exchange earnings and economic growth. The government is working to support coffee farmers and mitigate the effects of the challenges facing the industry.
Despite the challenges, the Ugandan government remains optimistic about the future of the coffee industry. With the implementation of measures to support farmers and mitigate the effects of adverse weather, the government is confident that the industry will recover and continue to thrive. The resilience of Uganda's coffee industry has been demonstrated in the past, and the government is working to ensure that coffee production and related activities remain profitable for farmers and other players in the value chain.
Key points
- The Ugandan government has urged coffee farmers to remain resilient amid volatility in the global market and adverse weather conditions affecting production.
- Coffee exports have declined, with 846,376 60-kg bags exported in July 2026, down from 997,105 bags in the same month a year earlier.
- The government is implementing measures to help farmers recover from the effects of adverse weather, mitigate future climate risks, and raise productivity and incomes.
