Uganda reassures farmers amid coffee and cocoa price volatility

Ugandan Agriculture Minister Frank K. Tumwebaze has issued a statement to reassure coffee and cocoa farmers and traders amid significant price volatility and declining export volumes. The government maintains that recent price drops reflect shifting global supply expectations rather than a decline in demand.

Domestic production is facing challenges from prolonged drought and high temperatures. Specifically, the price of commercial-quality Robusta FAQ has declined by approximately 14.5 percent year-on-year, falling from a range of UGX 13,500–14,000 per kilogramme in September 2025 to UGX 11,500–12,000 in early September 2026. Robusta Kiboko prices have also seen a decrease.

In contrast, Arabica coffee has shown resilience, with parchment prices increasing from approximately UGX 14,500 per kilogramme in 2025 to roughly UGX 15,750 in 2026. The minister attributed the broader market fluctuations to increased coffee availability from major producers like Brazil and Vietnam, alongside higher cocoa supply expectations globally.

Economic data indicates that Uganda’s coffee exports fell by 15 percent in July 2026, while export earnings dropped by approximately 18.6 percent compared to the same month in 2025.