Uganda farmers reap higher returns as global coffee futures rally

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Global coffee futures surged on international markets on September 24, 2025, boosting optimism among Ugandan farmers and exporters, according to the agriculture ministry market analysis report.

At the London International Financial Futures and Options Exchange (LIFFE), prices closed higher across the board. 

The November position climbed to $4,219 (about shillings 14.7 million) per tonne, up $101 (about shillings 352,591), while January settled at $4,185 (about shillings 14.6 million) per tonne, gaining $106 (sh370,046).

Similarly, at the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), Arabica coffee prices strengthened. 

The December position closed at 367.75 US cents per pound (about shillings 12,847), up 17.60 cents (shillings 615). 

March futures rose to 348.40 US cents per pound (about sh12,163), an increase of 13.35 cents (sh466).

Uganda’s robusta exports also reflected strong demand. Robusta Screen 15 sold the largest volume at 12,150 60-kilogram bags, followed by Robusta Screen 18 at 4,676 bags, and Arabica Drugar at 2,880 bags.

Premium Arabica varieties fetched some of the highest farm-gate prices. Arabica Bugisu AA traded at sh27,918 per kilogram, while Bugisu A and Bugisu PB both fetched sh27,841.

The Ministry report noted that farm-gate prices for the week stood as follows:

FAQ (Fair Average Quality): sh13,000–14,000 per kilo

Kiboko: shillings 6,000–6,800 per kilo

Arabica Parchment: shillings 14,000–15,000 per kilo

Drugar Coffee (Clean): shillings 13,000–14,000 per kilo

Martin Maraka, CEO of the Uganda Coffee Federation, said the recovery in prices was expected.

“Remember when the prices dropped and I told you they would rise again? Brazil had a triple frost event, and that disruption is still playing a big role in driving global prices upward,” Maraka explained.

He said the latest market gains are seen as a relief to Ugandan coffee growers, who rely on the crop as the country’s top foreign exchange earner. 

With continued global demand and supply shocks in Brazil, he noted, the outlook remains bullish, giving farmers hope of sustained earnings in the months ahead.