Uganda’s coffee exports in March 2020 amounted to 477,561 60-kilo bags worth $45.87M (Shs174.5bn), Uganda Coffee Investment Authority (UCDA) monthly report has revealed.
It comprised 385,978 bags ($33.09M) of Robusta and 91,583 bags ($12.78M) of Arabic.
This was an increase of 38.39% and 35.72% in quantity and value respectively from the same month last year. However, it was slightly lower than US$46.73million Uganda earned in February 2020.
The report adds that coffee exports for the 12-months period (April 2019 to March 2020) totaled to 4,877,141 bags worth US471.59million compared to 4,108,401 bags (US$420.45million) the previous year.
“78.40% of the total volume was exported by10 exporters, out of 44 companies which performed during the month compared to 80.07% in February 2020,” the report says.
By comparing quantity of coffee exported by type in the same month of last Coffee Year (March 2019 and 2020), Robusta registered a percentage increase both in quantity and value (45.29% and of 36.24%) respectively.
Arabica exports also registered a percentage increase in both quantity and value (15.30% and 34.39%) respectively.
According to the report, the increase in exports has been attributed to the increased production on account of fruition of the newly planted coffee,the onset of rains notwithstanding.
It adds that exporters also drew down on their stocks in the midst of the lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Exports are yet to be affected by the virus,” the report reads.
Exports to Italy had the highest market share with 28.48% (33.17%). It was followed by Sudan 14.43% (13.33%), Germany11.76% (12.59%) and Spain10.93% (11.32%).
Coffee exports to Africa amounted to77,747 bags, a market share of 16.28% compared to 77,972 bags (16.5%) the previous month.
“Europe remains the main destination for Uganda’s coffees with a 66.8% imports share,” the report says.
Outlook for April 2020 Coffee exports are projected to be 400,000 bags as exporters will continue releasing stocks in anticipation of lower prices in April 2020 when Brazil’s on-year 2020/21 crop harvest estimated to be 60 million bags starts.
The main harvest season North of the equator has virtually ended. Emphasis is now on the main crop from South of the equator starting in May which is likely to be good due to adequate rains. The effect of COVID-19 on coffee production has not been quantified yet,” the report adds.
