LONDON: Uganda recorded a decline in both value and volume of coffee exports. Experts say if this trend lingers, it will negatively impact annual productivity. According to Uganda Coffee Development Authority’s latest monthly report, in May, the country exported over 286,000 kilogramme bags, down from 326,000 bags exported in the month of April.
In the same line, the revenue declined to $27.5 million (Shs91 billion), down from $31 million (Shs105 billion) earned in April. “However, on a year-to-year basis, coffee exports for 12 months (June 2015 to May 2016) totalled 3.63 million bags worth $360 million (Shs1.2 trillion),” UCDA report mentioned.
UCDA attributes this decline to short-rain patterns which did not facilitate the ripening on the coffee cherries. However, UCDA predicts an increase in output for the nine months on the calendar (June). “We expect at least 290,000 60 kilogramme bags in this season as South Western regions and fly crop in Bugisu region begins,” UCDA report noted.
During the month, farm gate prices ranged from Shs2,000 to Shs2,400 per kilo of Kiboko (Robusta dry cherries); Shs4,500 to 4,700 for FAQ; Shs5,000 to 5,500 for Arabica parchment; and Shs4,300 to 4,600 per kilo for Drugar from Kasese. Leading exporters. In terms of individual coffee exporting companies in the month of May, Kyagalanyi Coffee led the export market share followed by Ugacof (U) Ltd, Export Trading, Ideal Commodities Ltd, Olam (U) Ltd, Ibero (U) and Kawacom (U) respectively.
