Chinese delegation, Ugandan govt to discuss coffee markets

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A Chinese delegation is set to visit Uganda from May 12-22, 2025, to learn more about Uganda’s coffee and deepen trade relations.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries adds that the delegation will also take part in investment dialogues to further secure markets for Uganda’s coffee.

Their visit comes at a time when Uganda has only 239 days left to meet the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) requirements. One of the stipulations of the regulation is that coffee must be grown on land that did not previously host a forest.

According to the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA), coffee exports from Uganda to China increased by 190% by the end of March 2025. From January to March 2025, Uganda exported 61,573 60kg bags of coffee, gaining a market share of 5.53% by the end of March.

They add that China is a new coffee market, estimated at $11.5 billion in annual sales, that Uganda is targeting. The figure is expected to grow by 10% over the next five years.

Other top buyers of Uganda’s coffee during the same period include Italy, which maintained the highest market share with 38.43%, compared to 45.17% in February. It was followed by India, Germany, Spain and Sudan.

Coffee exports to African countries totalled 69,052 bags, a market share of 11%, compared to 53,720 bags (10%) the previous month. African countries that imported Ugandan coffee included Sudan, Algeria, Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia, Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa. Europe remained the main destination for Uganda’s coffee, with a 63% import share, down from 74% in February 2025.

UCDA adds that world coffee production for 2024/25 is forecast to reach 174.9 million bags—6.9 million bags higher than the previous year—due primarily to rebounding output in Vietnam and Indonesia.

Globally, coffee consumption is expected to increase by 5.1 million bags to 168.1 million, with the largest gains in the European Union, the United States and China.

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