Uganda’s coffee industry has reached an unprecedented milestone, surpassing Ethiopia to become Africa’s top coffee exporter. This remarkable achievement marks a new chapter for Uganda’s coffee sector and is drawing global attention, solidifying the country’s position as a leader in the global coffee trade.

On June 23, 2025, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) announced that Uganda exported 47,606.7 tonnes of coffee in May 2025, surpassing Ethiopia’s 43,481.02 tonnes for the same period.

This was a major growth from 552,569 60kg bags of coffee exported in May 2024, with the May 2025 exports totaling 793,445 bags, making a stunning 43.59% growth.

This surge in exports earned Uganda a remarkable USD 243.9 million in just one month, pushing the total annual value of coffee exports beyond USD 2 billion. Between June 2024 and May 2025, Uganda shipped 7.43 million 60kg bags, generating USD 2.09 billion, making an impressive increase from the previous year’s 6.08 million bags.

Italy remains Uganda’s largest market, accounting for 39% of the exports, while Europe as a whole took 67%. Africa and Asia each accounted for 18% and 13%, respectively.

Hon. Frank Tumwebaze, Uganda’s Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries, attributed this outstanding performance to the country’s strong commitment to quality improvements and government-backed initiatives aimed at boosting the sector.

“This performance signals a new era for Uganda’s coffee industry and positions the country as a true continental leader in the global market,” Tumwebaze said.

The achievement has been met with excitment at the ongoing World of Coffee event in Geneva 2025, where Uganda’s dominance is being hailed as a transformative moment for African agriculture.

With this new record, Uganda is not just leading the continent, but also staking its claim as a global powerhouse in the coffee trade.

For coffee lovers and businesses worldwide, Uganda’s coffee has become a symbol of quality, reliability, and growth, making it an ideal choice for importers, roasters, and retailers looking to invest in one of the world’s finest coffee markets.

As the demand for Uganda’s premium coffee continues to rise, this new export record is only the beginning. Uganda’s coffee industry is poised for even greater growth, and its coffee is more than ever a must-have on the global stage.