Robusta rally lifts global coffee market prices, Arabica loses ground
On the London market, the January 2027 Robusta contract gained $28 to close at $3,204 (about sh13.6m) per tonne, equivalent to $3.20 (sh13,584) per kilogramme
Ugandan coffee farmers and traders are benefiting from firm local prices as Robusta futures gain on the international market. (File photo)
_________________
Ugandan coffee farmers and traders are benefiting from firm local prices as Robusta futures gain on the international market, although Arabica prices remain under pressure from increased supplies from Brazil.
The latest daily market analysis released by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) on November 2, 2026, shows that Robusta coffee futures on the London International Financial Futures and Options Exchange (LIFFE) recorded gains, while Arabica contracts on the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) in New York posted mixed results.
On the London market, the January 2027 Robusta contract gained $28 to close at $3,204 (about sh13.6m) per tonne, equivalent to $3.20 (sh13,584) per kilogramme.
The March 2027 contract also rose by $26 to settle at $3,193 (about sh13.55m) per tonne. The gains came amid developments in Vietnam, one of the world's leading Robusta producers, where improved rainfall has boosted soil moisture in the Central Highlands, supporting coffee cherry development.
According to weather forecaster Vaisala, recent abundant rainfall has improved growing conditions in the region. International coffee traders are closely monitoring the development because of its potential implications for future supplies.
However, the gains were not sustained across longer-dated contracts. The May 2027 position declined by 0.25 US cents, while the July and September 2027 contracts fell by 0.55 and 0.60 US cents, respectively.
The pressure on Arabica prices was partly linked to developments in Brazil, the world's largest coffee producer.
The Brazilian Real reportedly depreciated by 8.6% following President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's election victory, encouraging exporters to accelerate coffee sales. The resulting increase in export supplies weighed on international prices.
Despite the mixed performance on international exchanges, Uganda's local coffee market maintained relatively firm indicative prices, according to MAAIF.
For Robusta, Screen 18 recorded an indicative free-on-road/free-on-truck (FOR/FT) price of 161.67 US cents per pound, equivalent to sh15,130 per kilogramme.
A total of 2,541 60-kilogramme bags were sold, with the highest price reaching 185.63 US cents per pound.
Ugandan Arabica grades continued to command higher prices, reflecting their premium market positioning.
Bugisu AA traded at 282.20 US cents per pound, equivalent to sh26,410 per kilogramme, while Bugisu A and Bugisu Peaberry (PB) each fetched 281.20 US cents per pound, or sh26,316 per kilogramme.
Washed Ugandan Arabica (WUGAR) recorded a peak price of 307.24 US cents per pound, with 1,002 bags sold, while Dried Ugandan Arabica (DRUGAR) reached 296.36 US cents per pound, with 4,789 bags sold.
At farm level, MAAIF's weekly indicative prices showed that farmers selling directly from their fields were receiving between sh12,000 and sh12,500 per kilogramme for Fair Average Quality (FAQ), commonly known as Kazi.
Unhulled Robusta cherries, known as Kiboko, fetched between sh5,000 and sh6,000 per kilogramme, while Arabica parchment traded at between sh13,000 and sh14,000 per kilogramme.
Meanwhile, Clean DRUGAR fetched between sh14,000 and sh15,000 per kilogramme.