KAMPALA, Uganda — Uganda’s coffee exports to China have surged, marking a significant shift in the country’s coffee industry, according to a recent agriculture ministry report.
Between February and March, Ugandan coffee exports to China saw a dramatic 190% increase. In March alone, Uganda shipped 35,532 60-kilogram bags of coffee to China, a substantial rise from the 12,264 bags exported in February.
This increase has propelled China to become Uganda’s second-largest coffee market in Asia, surpassing Japan, and the sixth-largest globally, outstripping established markets like Belgium and Spain.
While Robusta coffee continues to be the dominant export, Arabica’s share is growing, rising from 6.8% of total exports in January to 15% in March.
The growing demand has attracted a delegation of prominent Chinese coffee industry representatives who are scheduled to visit Uganda this month, according to Doryn Negesa, the agriculture ministry’s principal marketing officer in China. The delegation will tour coffee farms, washing stations, and export hubs.
Ugandan officials attribute this export success to a coordinated campaign spearheaded by Uganda’s embassy in Beijing, the consulate general in Guangzhou, and the agriculture ministry. The campaign aims to establish Uganda as a reliable source of high-quality, sustainable coffee through increased participation in trade exhibitions, specialized coffee tasting sessions, and direct engagements with Chinese buyers.
“Our objective was clear from the start: make Uganda the preferred origin for high-quality, traceable coffee,” Negesa said in a statement.
Ambassador Judyth Nsababera, Uganda’s consul general in Guangzhou, emphasized the focus on market access. “Our mission is focused on opening market pathways. We have hosted three business delegations, facilitated key B2B engagements and forged partnerships with top Chinese importers. The result is growing confidence in Uganda as a reliable and scalable coffee origin.”
Ambassador Oliver Wonekha highlighted symbolic achievements, noting that Ugandan coffee was recently seen being unpacked in Zhengzhou in China’s Henan Province. “This is proof that when diplomacy is aligned with sector priorities, the results are tangible,” Wonekha said.
Dr. Emmanuel Iyamulemye, the former managing director of the Uganda Coffee Development Authority, suggested that with continued support and investment, Uganda has the potential to become China’s preferred African coffee partner.
According to the finance ministry’s March 2025 economic performance report, coffee remained Uganda’s top export, with earnings more than doubling to $167.68 million (UGX 620.42 billion), compared to $82.56 million (UGX 305.47 billion) in February of the previous year. This growth was attributed to both increased international coffee prices and higher export volumes. The number of 60-kilogram bags of coffee exported rose to 555,756 in February of this year, up from 434,582 bags in February last year.
