Coffee export earnings drop to $23m
Sep 17, 2009
COFFEE earnings dropped to $23.6m in August from $41.5m in the same period last year, the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA), said in a report.
By Alice Kiingi
COFFEE earnings dropped to $23.6m in August from $41.5m in the same period last year, the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA), said in a report.
“Lower estimates for this month were also recorded in robusta coffee sales due to a long dry-spell in the robusta growing areas. This saw a 20% drop in volume, recording over 260,270 60-kilogramme bags compared to 324,130 bags shipped in August last year,†the report showed.
“The improvement in Arabica coffee has continued because of sufficient rainfall during bean development and improved agronomic practices, including pest and diseases management,†the monthly report said.
Farm-gate prices for robusta coffee ranged from between sh800 to sh1,000 per kilogramme. Arabica coffee was at sh2,700.
The report said coffee exports were projected to rise to 250,000 60-kilo bags in September, up from 212,000 bags last year. “This will be because stocks held by traders shall be released to create space for the incoming crop. Farmers shall sell theirs to pay school fees.â€
preparing their children for university.
due to open in August and September.
The country has exported an annual average of 158,300 tonnes of coffee worth $255.7m over the last four years making it Africa’s second largest producer of coffee beans after Ethiopia.
The UCDA said European Union continues to be the major destination for Uganda’s coffee exports with a total of 165,349 bags in August while Sudan, the second main destination, imported around 59,470 bags.
COFFEE earnings dropped to $23.6m in August from $41.5m in the same period last year, the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA), said in a report.
“Lower estimates for this month were also recorded in robusta coffee sales due to a long dry-spell in the robusta growing areas. This saw a 20% drop in volume, recording over 260,270 60-kilogramme bags compared to 324,130 bags shipped in August last year,†the report showed.
“The improvement in Arabica coffee has continued because of sufficient rainfall during bean development and improved agronomic practices, including pest and diseases management,†the monthly report said.
Farm-gate prices for robusta coffee ranged from between sh800 to sh1,000 per kilogramme. Arabica coffee was at sh2,700.
The report said coffee exports were projected to rise to 250,000 60-kilo bags in September, up from 212,000 bags last year. “This will be because stocks held by traders shall be released to create space for the incoming crop. Farmers shall sell theirs to pay school fees.â€
preparing their children for university.
due to open in August and September.
The country has exported an annual average of 158,300 tonnes of coffee worth $255.7m over the last four years making it Africa’s second largest producer of coffee beans after Ethiopia.
The UCDA said European Union continues to be the major destination for Uganda’s coffee exports with a total of 165,349 bags in August while Sudan, the second main destination, imported around 59,470 bags.