Uganda coffee fetches $48.6 million in just two months

Uganda’s coffee export volumes increased to 446,286 bags, bringing in Ush86.5 billion ($48.6 million) in the past two months as stocks of the world’s second most traded commodity ran out globally.

Compared with same months in the previous year (2007/2008), this year’s earnings shot up in value by $10 million.

In 2007/2008, over the same months, the country exported 371,440 bags valued at $38.6, according to the monthly reports from Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA).
UCDA attributes the surge to the harvesting and marketing of the 2008/2009 coffee crop, which has has received favour from good weather and fair prices in international markets. Coffee reaching the export grading factories was also of very good quality and desirable moisture content.

Coupled with the harvesting of high altitude Arabica coffee, which had been delayed by bad weather, this month’s volumes are projected to swell to the tune of 300,000 bags, some 40,000 bags more than realised in December last year.

The projection is based on favourable weather for the drying process and on farmers cashing in on the festive Christmas season.

Increased production in the 2008/2009-crop year will however, not have a significant impact on the global stocks, according to industry experts, because the current yield will be used to reconstitute declining stock as well as to respond to requirements for domestic consumption and exports.
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Uganda: coffee export earnings rise 31.4 percent in November

KAMPALA (Reuters) - Uganda's coffee export earnings rose 31.4 percent to $27.6 million in November from $21 million in October, the coffee board said on Monday.

Data from the Uganda Coffee Development Authority also showed Uganda shipped 266,722 60-kg bags in November, a 48.5 percent rise from October's 179,564 bags.

Uganda is Africa's second biggest coffee producer, growing the robusta variety. Ethiopia is top and mainly grows arabicas.

Output went up 28.4 percent to 371,743 bags in the first two months of the current crop year (Oct/Nov) from 298,165 bags in the same period last year.

"The improvement is attributed to coffee planted under the strategic export programme, which has continued to come on the market; the ongoing coffee production campaign and favourable weather and good prices which translated in good husbandry practices," the board said.

Some 3 million bags worth $368.9 million have been shipped out in the last 11 months, comprising 2.55 million bags of robusta and 0.46 million of arabica.

Some 2.42 million bags worth $236.7 million were exported in a similar period last year.

Focus: Uganda

Good Ugandan coffees are of intense character and are unique among East African coffees. Robusta coffee, which is traditionally dry Processed, has a reputation of yielding above average quality. Arabica coffee is of medium quality, and is usually classified under “Columbian milds”. Mild & Hard Arabica. Full bodied with sparkling acidity, sweet distinctive characteristics.

Statistics

Type of coffee:	Arabica, Robusta, Roasted
Volume (MTs 2003):	33,179 MT - Arabica 128,505.88 MT - Robusta
Value ($ 2003):	$24,434,445 - Arabica $80,352,651 - Robusta
Brand names:	Roasted - Star Cafe, Elgon Pride, Ban Cafe
Marketing system:	Direct Sale
Marketing trends:
Past five years:	Fluctuating - Arabica; Increasing - Robusta
Next five years:	Increase in both Arabica and Robusta
Processing:	Wet and dry processing
Harvest season:	Arabica: Oct-Feb: Main crop, Aug Fly crop Robusta: Oct-Feb: Main crop for North Equator May-Aug: Main crop for South Equator
Port of shipment:	Mombasa
Export destinations:	European countries

Uganda is a land-locked country in East Africa, bordering Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo and the Sudan. The country has seen a tremendous rate of progress and development in the past 15 years. Blessed with an ideal climate, Uganda is a lush country with an astounding amount of lakes, wetlands and rivers, and is the source of the mighty River Nile.

This is a geographically and scenically diverse country, dubbed by Winston Churchill as the Pearl of Africa. It straddles the equator and boasts mist-shrouded volcanic mountains, glacier capped peaks, simmering hot springs, semi-arid desert, and rolling fertile hills. There are over 500 forest reserves and a number of national parks and game reserves in the country, providing a safe habitat for this country’s array of unique wildlife. Recognised for its wide range of primates (chimpanzees, numerous monkeys and the rare mountain gorilla) and its impressive bird list which tops more than 1,000 species, Uganda is also fast becoming a popular eco-tourism destination for the naturalist and wildlife enthusiast.

Uganda has a long tradition of coffee production - dating back more than 100 years - and is now ranked 2nd in Africa and 7th in the world for coffee production. It is the leading exporter of organic coffee in Africa. It is widely accepted that while Ethiopia is the original source of Arabica coffee, Uganda is the source of Robusta.
Centuries ago, Ugandan warriors would chew the bean or cherry before going into battle. This would make them feel strong, brave and invincible. The variety of wild robusta coffees still growing
in Uganda’s rainforests are thought to be some of the rarest
examples of naturally occurring coffee trees anywhere in the
world.

Coffee has been the largest single foreign exchange earner for the country since the 1970’s, and is based entirely on smallscale
production. Robusta coffee accounts for 94% of the output, while Arabica coffee accounts for the remaining 6%. There are approximately 500,000 coffee farms in Uganda. About 25% of the entire country’s population, is dependent on coffee for their livelihood. Other exports from Uganda include cotton, fish, tea, tobacco, maize, beans, and sesame.

Region: Uganda - Another Ugandan coffee brand penetrates western market

Tom Magumba

Kampala

Local coffee farmers could be destined for a bright future as more local coffee brands get nods from top European markets following a break through by another brand. Uganda Mountain Coffee, a 100 percent organic, AAA Arabica coffee a product of Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) and Heifer International partnership was launched last week in Boston, USA.

According to a report from UCDA this would ensure that Ugandan coffee farmers own equity in the venture while Heifer International shall use 2 percent of the price to support the livelihood of over 5 million coffee farmers in Uganda. This becomes the second top brand to sell in Europe after Good African Coffee conquered Waitrose one of the largest supermarket chain across the United Kingdom by a slow effort of a local entrepreneur Mr Andrew Rugasira.

Coffee Legends Inc a company famous for trading and roasting coffee in the US in a press statement has already announced the debut of the new brand to be sold throughout the northeast of the country. “We were extremely selective about the brand to ensure the most superior product for our customers and we are excited for them to sample just how smooth and enjoyable organic coffee can be” said Mr Joe Steinberg the proprietor of Coffee Legends Inc.

Mr Henry Ngabirano UCDA executive director described this as a break through for the Ugandan farmers saying it was a result of hard work and top quality practices to produce good coffee beans. “We are committed to see the farmers fairly compensated for their industriousness and happy to be part of Heifer international’s effort in Africa and worldwide,” he said in a statement.

The development comes on the heels of a meeting held in Gainesville, USA on Organic coffee production, in which UCDA assured participants that Uganda has the capacity to supply the US market with pure organic coffee. Uganda coffee officials promised to train farmers in good agricultural practices putting emphasis on the dictates of the market and working towards formalising the Quality Certification Services agreement.

Last month Uganda participated in the 20th Uganda North American Association (UNAA) Convention that took place in Orlando, Florida. US based Ugandans served free brewed coffee throughout the convention period at the Uganda stall. The aroma of the brewed coffee attracted over 500 guests to the Uganda Stand who made various enquiries on the availability and accessibility of Ugandan coffee on the US market.

A September coffee report from UCDA shows that the local coffee fraternity has received a special invitation from the first Secretary to the Italian Embassy in Uganda to show case in the Triestespresso Expo 2008 due to take place in November. The expo is expected to expose Ugandan coffee exporters to global counterparts from Central and Eastern Europe, Mediterranean and the Middle East, the main buyers of Uganda coffee.