The Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) has reported the highest ever coffee exports amounting to 743,517 60-kilo bags, worth US$ 121.64 million in August.

According to UCDA, coffee was exported at an average price of US$ 2.73/kilo US cent 2 higher compared to July 2023 (US $ 2.71/kilo), and US cents 36 higher than US$ 2.41/kilo in August 2022.

This was an increase of 48.19% and 70.73% in quantity and value respectively compared to the same month last year. This comprised 689,261 bags of Robusta valued at US $ 111.41 million and 54,256 bags of Arabica valued at US$ 10.22 million.

“By comparing quantity of coffee exported by type in the same month of last Coffee Year (August 2022), Robusta increased by 50.95% and 84.76% in quantity and value respectively, while Arabica exports increased by 20.29% in quantity but a 6.61% reduction in value,” UCDA revealed in a statement released on Monday.

UCDA notes that the monthly coffee exports performance which was seen in Robusta exports and was partly on account of a good crop harvest in South-Western region and the prevailing good prices on the global scene which prompted exporters to release their stocks.

Coffee exports for 12 months (September 2022-August 2023), according to figures from UCDA totaled 6.08 million bags worth US$ 918.76 million compared to 5.94 million bags worth US$ 872.00 million the previous year (September 2021-August 2023).

This represents an increase of 5% and 2% increase in quantity and value respectively.

“76% of the total volume was exported by 10 exporters, out of 51 companies which performed during the month compared to 72% in June 2023. Bugisu A+ fetched the highest price at US $ 5.37 per kilo,” reads the statement in part.

The top 10 exporters held a market share of 76% higher than 72% the previous month reflecting increasing competition. Changes in exporter positions compared to last month show competition at this level.

“Ugacof (U) Ltd had the highest market share of 14.45% compared to 14.35% in July 2023. It was followed by Olam Uganda Ltd 11.3%, Ideal Quality Commodities Ltd 9.66% (7.78%); Kyagalanyi Coffee Ltd 9.17% ), Touton Uganda Limited 7.01%; Kawacom (U)Ltd 5.88% ; Ibero (U)Ltd 5.06% ; Louis Dreyfus Company (U) Ltd 5.04% ; JBER Coffee Ltd 4.65% ; and Grain Pulse Limited 3.43%”