Uganda caps successful coffee investment drive at COFFEX Istanbul 2026

May 10, 2026 in Land & Agriculture, Trade & Industry by Editor

Uganda used COFFEX Istanbul 2026 to court new buyers and investors, as government officials highlighted rising coffee exports, expanding production and fresh opportunities across the country’s coffee value chain.

 

Uganda has concluded a high-profile participation at COFFEX Istanbul 2026, which ended today, using the international coffee exhibition to showcase its expanding coffee industry, attract investment and deepen efforts to diversify export markets beyond its traditional European buyers.

At the event in Türkiye, government officials presented Uganda as both a major coffee origin and an emerging investment destination, positioning the sector at the centre of the country’s export growth and industrialisation strategy.

Officials said Uganda currently produces about 9.3 million 60-kilogram bags of coffee annually and expects output to rise to 9.6 million bags in the 2025/26 financial year, as implementation of the National Coffee Roadmap gathers momentum.

The government is targeting annual production of more than 20 million bags by 2030 through expanded planting, farmer mobilisation and investment in value addition.

Speaking at the exhibition, Fred Kyakulaga Bwino said Uganda’s competitive advantage lies in its favourable climate, fertile soils and predominantly smallholder production system, where farmers largely handpick ripe coffee cherries to preserve quality.

“We want the world not only to taste Uganda’s coffee, but also to appreciate the enormous investment opportunities available across the entire coffee value chain,” Kyakulaga said.

Uganda’s coffee exports reached 8.2 million bags in the 2024/25 financial year, generating approximately $2.2 billion in export earnings, according to officials. Export volumes for calendar year 2025 are projected to rise further to 8.7 million bags worth an estimated $2.5 billion.

Coffee remains Uganda’s leading export commodity and contributes roughly 22 percent of the country’s foreign exchange earnings.

Gerald Kyalo said the sector’s recent growth reflects rising international demand for Ugandan coffee and continued efforts to strengthen quality assurance and traceability systems.

“This growth demonstrates the resilience, competitiveness and increasing global demand for Uganda’s coffee,” Kyalo said.

Officials noted that coffee is currently grown in 126 districts by an estimated 2.5 million farming households, with the broader value chain supporting the livelihoods of more than 12.5 million Ugandans.

While the European Union still accounts for nearly 68 percent of Uganda’s coffee exports, authorities say the country is actively seeking to diversify markets and build stronger commercial relationships in regions such as the Middle East and Asia.

The Istanbul engagement included coffee tasting sessions, bilateral business meetings and discussions with investors, roasters and importers interested in sourcing Ugandan Arabica and Robusta varieties.

Government representatives also used the platform to market investment opportunities in coffee processing, roasting, logistics and export infrastructure.

Officials said Uganda continues to offer incentives to qualifying investors, including tax concessions, infrastructure support and investment facilitation measures aimed at strengthening value addition and export competitiveness.

The participation at COFFEX Istanbul comes amid a broader diplomatic and trade push by Uganda to expand direct market access for its agricultural exports and reduce dependence on traditional commodity trading channels.

Analysts say growing global demand for speciality and origin-based coffees is creating fresh opportunities for Uganda, particularly as buyers increasingly seek traceable and sustainably produced coffee.

The government said follow-up trade missions, investor matchmaking and technical engagements will continue after the exhibition to convert business interest into long-term sourcing agreements and investment partnerships.