UGANDA’S coffee exports fell by 17% to 219,948 60kg bags in November compared to the same month a year ago, a source at the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) has said.
The source said UCDA forecast that December exports will also fall to 240,000 bags from 257,976 bags shipped in the same month in 2013, with the drop attributed to a gradual peaking of the coffee harvest in central and eastern Uganda.
The source said Uganda earned $29.5m from coffee exports last month, up from $26.7m earned in the same period last year.
However, the Ministry of Agriculture has said the demand for coffee is expected to reach 165 million bags with a 15% increase in the green bean production over the next five years.
According to the agriculture minister, Tress Bucyanayandi, the Government distributed over 58 million coffee seedlings to farmers this year alone to boost production.
Bucyanayandi was speaking as guest of honour at a function to mark 20 years of UGACOF, a coffee exporting company. He commended the company, saying it has been committed to promoting and developing the coffee sector in Uganda.
“The Government loves coffee and will do everything possible to support its production. It is at the heart of our activities and we must continue with it,” said Bucyanayandi.
He noted that coffee is one of the crops the Government wants to promote to empower local farmers economically.
The minister called on other investors to get into the coffee value chain, saying the business environment in Uganda is conducive.
UGACOF managing director Kailash Natani pledged continued commitment to promotion of coffee growing in Uganda through partnerships with other players.
He commended the Government for providing security and a conducive environment for doing business
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