Cautious optimism as coffee prices continue drop in Ibanda
On November 20, 2025, traders in Ibanda town quoted Arabica coffee at sh16,000 per kilogramme, down from sh17,000 at the beginning of the month.
Coffee prices have continued downward trend with traders and farmers attributing the drop to low quality beans. (Photo by Stephen Nuwagira)
________________
Across Ibanda, cautious optimism persists as coffee prices continue to decline because of low demand and poor-quality beans.
Farmers, however, hope that expected sunny intervals will improve post-harvest handling and help stabilise prices.
On November 20, 2025, traders in Ibanda town quoted Arabica coffee at sh16,000 per kilogramme, down from sh17,000 at the beginning of the month.
At the Bisheshe Coffee Produce Association (BICOPA) in Bisheshe division, Ibanda municipality, the price stands at sh15,000, compared to sh17,500 on October 29.
Arabica prices are unchanged in Igorora trading centre, Ibanda South County, and range between sh17,000 and sh18,000 per kilogramme.
Robusta coffee remains at sh13,500 per kilogramme in Nyamirima trading centre in Bufunda division, although prices have dropped by sh500 across many other trading centres in Ibanda to sh13,000.
Traders attributed the decrease to low outturn beans, explaining that heavy rainfall in the district has affected both quality and quantity. They also cited the challenge of farmers bringing in coffee that is not properly dried.
According to Apollo Bigirwa, a model farmer in Nyamuswiga, Kagongo division, the recommended moisture content is at least 13 per cent.
He added that quality issues are expected at this time because the Robusta harvest season is just beginning in Ibanda, while the Arabica season is ending. Typically, the first and last beans of any season are of lower quality.
Bigirwa called for continued sensitisation by the municipality production department to educate farmers on proper coffee-handling procedures and the importance of maintaining quality across the value chain.
Meanwhile, David Tihwayo projected that Robusta prices could recover in the coming weeks, supported by higher volumes and improved quality as rains ease.
Ibanda mainly grows Robusta varieties, while Arabica is cultivated in the highland areas of the district. Coffee remains one of the key enterprises local leaders promote to reduce household poverty and provide sustainable earnings.
Uganda earned sh779.7 billion from coffee exports in September, according to the Ministry of Finance.