Uganda, Africa’s largest coffee exporter, shipped more coffee but earned significantly less in March 2026 as falling global prices weighed on export revenues, according to multiple trade reports published in early May.
FoodBusinessME reported that Uganda exported 671,152 60‑kg bags of coffee in March 2026, a 2.9% increase compared with March 2025. Over the same period, export earnings fell 13.6%, underscoring the impact of weaker global prices on one of the world’s key Robusta suppliers.
Average export prices dropped sharply year‑on‑year. SoftPower stated that Uganda’s coffee fetched an average of US$4.31 per kilogram in March 2026, down from US$5.14 per kilogram a year earlier. The outlet noted that total March export revenues reached US$173.37 million, equivalent to about 646.75 billion Ugandan shillings.
The price pressure is closely linked to broader global supply expectations. FoodBusinessME attributed the earnings decline to lower international prices amid improved supply prospects in major producing countries, including Brazil. Several Ugandan news outlets, including SoftPower and The Cooperator News, similarly highlighted global price fluctuations as a key factor shaping the country’s export performance.
Robusta coffee, Uganda’s dominant export, illustrates the squeeze. SoftPower reported that Robusta shipments reached 567,405 bags in March 2026, a 7.04% year‑on‑year increase, yet Robusta export revenues fell 20.8% to US$134 million. Over the same month, Arabica exports totaled 103,747 bags, bringing in US$39.36 million, according to the same source.
Despite the monthly setback, Uganda’s longer‑term export figures remain strong. SoftPower noted that between March 2025 and March 2026 the country exported 8.8 million bags of coffee, valued at US$2.4 billion, or roughly 8.8 trillion shillings. Over this 12‑month period, export volume grew 28% while export value rose 36% compared with the previous year.
Export destinations remain highly concentrated. SoftPower reported that Europe accounted for 62% of Uganda’s coffee exports over the recent 12‑month period, with Africa taking 21% and Asia 12%. The same report indicated that the top 10 exporters in Uganda handled 70% of shipments, underscoring the role of a relatively small group of companies in moving Ugandan coffee to international markets.
Monthly figures also highlight how quickly conditions can shift. Uganda Business News reported that February 2026 coffee exports totaled 651,933 bags, generating US$180.98 million, or about 645.78 billion shillings. That means Uganda shipped fewer bags in February than in March but earned more in February, reflecting the influence of price levels from one month to the next.
Uganda’s position in Africa’s coffee trade has also shifted in recent years. FoodBusinessME reported that the country has surpassed Ethiopia to become the continent’s top coffee exporter, reinforcing the significance of Uganda’s pricing and volume dynamics for roasters and traders sourcing from Africa.
