Uganda has emerged as Africa’s leading coffee exporter, surpassing Ethiopia for the first time, according to a government report released on Tuesday.
The announcement came from Uganda’s Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, which confirmed that the country exported 793,445 60-kilogram bags of coffee in May 2025. This volume, equivalent to 47,606.7 metric tons, generated an estimated $243 million in export earnings for the country.
“This is a historic milestone for Uganda’s coffee sector,” the ministry stated. “The figures from May indicate that Uganda has overtaken Ethiopia, whose exports stood at 43,481.02 tons during the same period. This represents a significant shift in the balance of Africa’s coffee trade.”
The ministry attributed this achievement to a combination of strategic government initiatives and sustained efforts within the coffee industry to enhance quality and productivity. Over the past several years, Uganda has introduced widespread reforms in the coffee sector, focusing on quality control, farmer education, and improved access to better farming inputs.
“Thanks to rigorous quality assurance systems, comprehensive training programs for farmers, and increased availability of high-quality seedlings and fertilizers, Ugandan coffee has become increasingly competitive on the global stage,” the ministry said. “Our beans are now recognized for their superior quality and unique flavor characteristics, which are attracting premium buyers from around the world.”
With the main harvest season currently underway in major coffee-growing regions such as the Central, Eastern, and Western parts of the country, the ministry expects export volumes to rise even further in the coming months.
Coffee remains one of Uganda’s most valuable agricultural exports, providing income for millions of households and playing a central role in the national economy. The government’s renewed focus on scaling production and expanding market access is part of a broader plan to position Uganda as a global coffee powerhouse.
Currently, Uganda’s coffee exports are destined for a diverse range of international markets. Leading destinations include Italy, Germany, and Spain in Europe, as well as India, Sudan, Belgium, China, Algeria, the United States, and Morocco.
The latest figures not only underscore Uganda’s growing influence in the international coffee trade but also highlight the country’s potential to further strengthen its position through continued investment and innovation in the sector.