The Deputy Director General, International Partnerships at the European Commission, Myriam Ferran, has pledged continued support to Uganda in the coffee and cocoa sub-sectors.

Ferran made the remarks during a visit to the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) laboratory in March together with Ambassador Jan Sadek, Head of the European Union Delegation to Uganda, Caroline Adriaensen, Head of Cooperation and Sofian Dahmani from the EC International Partnerships Directorate. The visit was important in kick-starting strengthened cooperation between the European Union and UCDA in implementing the comprehensive value chains approach as part of the coffee and cocoa priority value chains for the Global Gateway in Uganda.

The European Union has been supporting the Ugandan coffee and cocoa value chains through two major projects implemented by UCDA over the past five years. The EU-EAC Market Access Programme (MARKUP) worth EUR 3.638.000 and the Coffee and Cocoa Value Chain Development (CoCoDev) Project in Uganda worth EUR 8 million (UGX 32.8bn) have supported the value chain development from smallholder farmers to certification, among other areas. The implementing period for MARKUP was 2018 to 2021 (with a second phase in the pipeline) while that for CoCoDev is 2022 to 2026.

During the visit, Ferran commended UCDA’s efforts in the coffee and cocoa sub-sectors and called on the Authority to involve refugee-hosting communities in coffee production. This, according to Ferran, would help to improve the lives of refugees and contribute to the inclusive growth of the coffee industry. Sixty-five percent of Uganda’s coffee exports go to the EU, placing the country in a position to compete favorably with other producing countries.

The team was hosted by UCDA’s Managing Director, Dr. Emmanuel Iyamulemye, who took them through a coffee cup-tasting session to appreciate the uniqueness of Uganda’s coffee. Also on display were Ugandan cocoa and cocoa products.

Dr. Emmanuel Iyamulemye, applauded the EU for the financial support, which, he said, is consistent with the Authority’s desire to strengthen cooperation with the EU in order to support the expansion of the coffee and cocoa sub-sectors.

“We have been supporting the private sector to improve their coffee and cocoa standards. [The CoCoDev] project will continue supporting the coffee and cocoa sub-sectors by focusing on commercialisation and providing grants to expand production,” said Dr. Iyamulemye.

Dr. Iyamulemye added that the EU support is also going to improve the cocoa regulatory framework. “For the first time, we are going to have standards for cocoa, and this will enable producers to access even more markets so that they can continue fetching premium prices,” he said.

The European Union’s support of the coffee and cocoa sub-sectors in Uganda is vital for the country’s economic growth. Uganda is known for its high-quality coffee beans and the EU’s continued support will enable the country to increase its production and expand its market reach.

Uganda is the leading exporter of coffee in Africa and the 7th largest producer in the world. With 65% of the coffee exported to the European Union, it is clear that this is an important market for Uganda.

Kisoro, a coffee growing region with potential to produce some of the best Arabica in the country and enable farmers earn big from the lucrative coffee business still lags behind because of bottlenecks such as lack of processing equipment.

This is set to change as UCDA gave out four wet mills to coffee farming communities to support coffee processing, thus increasing the quality and volumes produced.

In March, UCDA Technical Extension Manager, Robert Tumwesigye oversaw the successful installation and operationalisation of a wet mill on Mr. Gerald Ngarama’s coffee farm in Murora sub-county, Kisoro district. The engine-driven wet mill has capacity to process 800kgs of red cherry per hour and will be accessed for free by other coffee farmers in the community.

Ngarama, is one of the recipients of the 35 wet mills procured by UCDA for distribution to coffee farmers across the country in a bid to improve coffee quality and promote production of specialty coffee which fetches a premium price.

Speaking at the launch, Tumwesigye noted that while access to the power grid remains a major challenge in rural areas, the engine-driven wet mill will ensure uninterrupted coffee processing.

Three other recipients of the wet mills are Festus Bahinyuza from Nyabwishenya sub-county, Winnie Bavuga from Nyakabande sub-county and Kenneth Barigye, Nyakabande sub-county.

Memory Akaijuka, the UCDA Regional Extension Officer for Kisoro says that coffee farmers in Kisoro have long struggled to process coffee to the right standard. This has often resulted in poorly processed coffee which fetches low prices on the market.

The installation of the wet mills will make it easy for farmers to pulp the coffee, store it in bulk as parchment and then, later, market it to buyers while maintaining its quality.

Kisoro Arabica coffee is grown on the slopes of Mt. Muhavura in south western Uganda. It has lively acidity, creamy mouthfeel and a sweet flavour with pleasantly lingering aftertaste.

In Kisoro district, about 80,000 farmers are involved in coffee growing with an estimated 4.3 million coffee trees planted mainly in the sub-counties of Nyabwishenya, Nyundo, Nyakabande, Busanza, Murora, Kirundo and Kisoro.

UCDA and the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries last year commenced on a program to scale up wet processing to produce commercial volumes in Arabica and Robusta growing areas to attract premium prices.

The growing demand for Ugandan specialty coffee has seen a new entrant into the coffee export business set to increase the visibility of Uganda coffee in Canadian and major European cities.

Lusha, a coffee export company specialising in exporting specialty Arabica coffee to Canada says Uganda coffee has the potential to outcompete other origins in the Canadian and European markets due to its quality and unique attributes. 

The Toronto-based coffee export company which recently obtained an export license from the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) will source specialty Arabica coffee from Bududa, on the slopes of Mountain Elgon in Eastern Uganda. This move is set to increase the visibility of Ugandan coffee in Canadian and major European cities and offers a unique opportunity for coffee lovers in Canada, North America and Europe to taste some of the best specialty Arabica coffee that Uganda has to offer.

The demand for specialty coffee has been on the rise globally, and Uganda has not been left behind in this trend. Uganda coffee has a unique flavour profile, with notes of fruit, chocolate, and nutty undertones, making it stand out from other origins. The unique attributes of Ugandan coffee have attracted the attention of coffee enthusiasts and roasters in North America, with Canada being a key market.

According to Randy Paul, ED of Lusha Coffee, Uganda has the potential to be the leading supplier of specialty coffee to cafes and roasters in North America. This statement is not unfounded, as Uganda has already made significant strides in recent years in the coffee industry. Uganda's coffee industry has seen its market share increase in several key markets, and the industry has made significant progress in improving the quality of its coffee beans.

During a recent visit to UCDA, Lusha Coffee's management team was briefed on export procedures, product certifications, and general market trends that dictate the performance of Uganda's coffee trading on the international market. The meeting was led by Dr. Emmanuel Lyamulemye, the Managing Director of UCDA, who emphasized the importance of complying with international standards and regulations, working together to promote Ugandan coffee on the international market, and focusing on quality and sustainability.

Dr. Lyamulemye also shared data on the performance of Uganda's coffee trading on the international market, including market trends and pricing. The data showed that Uganda's coffee industry has faced some challenges in the past, but has made significant progress in recent years, and is now poised to be a leading supplier of specialty coffee to cafes and roasters in North America.

The Executive Director further urged Lusha Coffee to work with qualified professionals to ensure the sourcing of high-quality green coffee beans and to create a relationship with the farmers through community engagements and formations of Agents networks to ensure continuous supply during the year. The Executive Director also emphasized the importance of collaboration between industry stakeholders, the government, and development partners to boost the coffee trade.

Lusha Coffee's entry into the coffee export business is a welcome move for the coffee industry in Uganda and Canada. This move is set to increase the visibility of Ugandan coffee in Canadian cities and offers a unique opportunity for coffee lovers in Canada to taste some of the best specialty Arabica coffee that Uganda has to offer. With the collaboration between Lusha Coffee, UCDA, and other industry stakeholders, Uganda's coffee industry is set to make significant progress in the international market and solidify its position as a leading supplier of specialty coffee.

The Black Coffee Twig Borer (BCTB) attacks crop-bearing branches of mainly Robusta trees causing them to dry. A farmer can lose up to 50% of the coffee yield if they do not manage BCTB on the farm.

The resultant damage from the beetle is higher during the dry season, especially in coffee trees under shade trees, closely planted coffee trees or inadequately pruned or de-suckered coffee.

Damage to coffee

Only female beetles cause damage to the plants by boring into the tissue of the host. They bore through the xylem into the twig pitch where they chew along the axis of the twig to make a common brood chamber for the eggs. The males live up to 6 days and are flightless while the females live up to 58 days.

The entire life cycle, from egg to mature adult, takes 29 days. On the 29th day, the new females exit the parental galleries to establish new ones. Each female hatches between 10 and 30 eggs. The larvae and adults of the borer get food from the symbiosis developed with the ambrosia fungus.

How to Control the Spread of BCTB

Regularly inspect the coffee field to check for any infestation. As soon as the pest is sighted, cut, chop and burn the affected plant parts. Farmers should avoid using musizi and musambya as shade trees. These are alternate host trees of the BCTB.

It is important that farmers use pest-free planting materials from UCDA-certified coffee nurseries only.

The beetle trap developed by the National Coffee Research Institute (NaCORI) is highly effective in fighting the Black Co ffee Twig Borer. The trap is composed of a transparent plastic bottle, a smaller pharmaceutical bottle, ethanol and a wire or string.

The plastic bottle has two windows on opposite sides. It holds water which drowns and kills the beetle. The smaller bottle, with ethanol in it, is tied with a string and placed in the plastic bottle. The ethanol scent attracts the insect. Once inside the plastic bottle they are trapped by the water in it.

Community approach required

The pests can fly over a very long distance so it will not be helpful if one farmer uses the BCTB traps and others do not. The entire community must take up the technology.

Controlling BCTB

Cut, chop and burn affected plant parts.
Avoid using shade trees such as musizi and musambya. These are alternate host trees for the BCTB.
Use pest-free planting materials from certified coffee nurseries.
Inspect your field regularly to identify any infestation.
 

The National Coffee Research Institute (NACORI) has developed new high-yielding and disease-resistant Arabica varieties that will make Ugandan farmers more competitive at the local and global levels once they are released on the market. The varieties were developed with support from the European Union (EU) under the European Union – East African Community Market Access Upgrade Programme (EU-EAC MARKUP).

“Uganda has been lagging behind in development of new Arabica varieties and this is going to be a landmark for the farmers and the sector,” Dr. Pascal Musoli, a plant breeder and top coffee and cocoa researcher at NACORI revealed.

This was during a meeting with members of the National Steering Committees, who visited the institute located at Kituuza, Mukono to learn how EU-EAC MARKUP has supported Ugandan scientists to carry out research and develop coffee and cocoa varieties to increase production and productivity. The lessons and good practices will be adopted by partner states to help unlock trade and investment opportunities in EAC.

Dr. Musooli noted that the support they received from MARKUP enabled NACORI scientists develop new Arabica varieties whose performance is above 200% of the old types. The new Arabica varieties are also resistant to diseases such as leaf rust and coffee berry disease compared to old varieties.

Under the MARKUP project, NaCORI received support to evaluate and release improved Arabica coffee varieties and carry out preliminary evaluation of cocoa clones. The mandate of NaCORI is to carry out research on coffee and cocoa in Uganda.

All activities related to research under the MARKUP project are implemented by NaCORI under the supervision of UCDA. The MARKUP project supported NaCORI to carry out research in four locations: Zeu in Zombo district, Kyenjojo, Kabale, and Buginyanya (Elgon region).

Dr. Musooli noted that while research was already ongoing into development of new varieties, the funds from MARKUP came at a critical time and made a big difference. According to Dr. Musooli, the new varieties performed above 200% in comparison to the old types and once released to farmers, they will help increase production and productivity for
farmers enabling them earn more.
 

The varieties are resistant to leaf rust and coffee berry disease which is going to reduce the burden on farmers to purchase chemicals to control diseases and pests.

The Consular General of the Republic of Uganda in Guangzhou, Ambassador Judith Nsababera has tipped Ugandan coffee exporters, farmers, cooperatives and roasters on how to access the Chinese market.

This was during a discussion on the opportunities for export of Uganda coffee to China held at Serena Hotel, Kampala last week.

Ambassador Nsababera appealed to the coffee stakeholders to do due diligence on the Chinese companies they intend to deal with to avoid being disappointed.

She also emphasized the need for Ugandans to partner with local traders as this will assist in building trust between them and potential business partners.

“The competition for coffee in China is fierce. You need to have a local partner in China and you need to have your product readily available. The Chinese want to see, feel and touch the product you are selling [before they make any commitments],” Ambassador Nsababera said, pledging to support the coffee stakeholders who plan to do business in China.

UCDA Managing Director, Dr. Emmanuel Iyamulemye, said there are 72 registered coffee exporters whose details and credentials have been captured and are able to export to China.

Dr. Iyamulemye said the Authority is engaging digital platforms in China to be able to upload Ugandan products. Government will pay the required subscriptions and he called on stakeholders to make use of such platforms.

To address the issue of quality and trust, Dr. Iyamulemye said UCDA and Ugandan coffee players can do cupping sessions in China, adding that the list of companies that have excelled in the annual Best of the Pearl competitions can be shared with Chinese coffee buyers for purposes of building trust and quality assurance.

He said the Best of the Pearl competitions have given Ugandan coffee great visibility around the world.

Responding to the issues raised about inadequate funding, Dr. Iyamulemye said the Authority had attempted to have a Coffee Fund but this was dropped because the government already has the Consolidated Fund. However, he appealed to sector players to brainstorm on innovative ways of identifying sources of funding.

Aggrey Tumuhaire, an exporter with experience in the Chinese market told the meeting that the major challenge in China for business persons is understanding the market, adding that it is important to have brand awareness for a distributor to accept your product.

 According to Tumuhaire, the Chinese deal with people they trust and buy products they can physically see.

Nelson Tugume, the CEO of Inspire Africa, a coffee company exporting coffee to various markets, noted that while it is important to look at exports and the international markets, it is also important to add value for better prices for the farmer.

Tugume suggested the hydrogen technology which he says once it is in place and the coffee roasted, the product can take up to 12 months on the shelves without losing its quality.

He highlighted the need to grow domestic coffee consumption and called for affordable financing. The other challenges raised during the discussion was the issue of tariff and non-tariff barriers.

While giving a vote of thanks to the Ambassador, the Executive Director of the Agribusiness Development Centre (ADC), Josephine Mukumbya, said the sector needs a holistic approach to the challenges it is facing. For example, she said, financing alone may not address all the issues around the value chain.

Coffee exports to China have been increasing over the years. For instance, in 2018, Uganda exported 33,000 bags of coffee to China, 66,000 bags in 2019 and 83,000 bags in 2020.

 

The first-ever trade event between Uganda and Vietnam provided a unique platform to accelerate trade, bilateral relationships and most importantly gave Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) a platform to showcase the country’s coffee and cocoa to Vietnamese investors.

The event, the Uganda Vietnam Business Summit, was held on 25th November 2022 at the Vietnam Convention Center in Hanoi. It was organized by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sought to unlock investment and trade opportunities between the two countries.

In his address at the summit, His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni called on Vietnam to invest in value addition of coffee and other agricultural products, minerals and products such as cars, computers and machines. Museveni assured the investors that Uganda has the best investment environment with readily available raw materials and skilled manpower.

Coffee research

Uganda is set to benefit from partnering with the largest producer of Robusta coffee in the world after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support collaboration and knowledge transfer on coffee production between the two countries.

On 24th November 2022, Hon. Frank Tumwebaze, Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries signed the MoU with the government of the socialist republic of Vietnam represented by the Vietnam Coffee Coordination Board (VCCB).

The MoU will enable collaboration between Uganda and Vietnam to enhance coffee production and productivity, marketing, research in climate change and environment, research on varieties and extension services and value addition along the coffee value chain. Vietnam ranks as the largest producer of Robusta coffee with a production of 31.59 million 60kg bags in 2021/2022.

Coffee sub sector open to investment

Dr. Emmanuel Iyamulemye, Managing Director, UCDA in a panel discussion on value addition in agribusiness highlighted the opportunities available to investors of coffee in Uganda including preferential markets in the East African Community (EAC), African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and the trade privileges from China, United Kingdom and the European Union markets for Uganda coffee products.

Dr. Iyamulemye highlighted investment opportunities in the export of green and roasted coffee, supply of coffee machinery, equipment, pesticides and fertilizers; production of coffee machinery, equipment, pesticides and fertilizers; production of packaging material such as gunny bags for the green coffee and pouches (Kraft or Matte) for roasted coffee; investment in washing stations that will enable production of fine and specialty coffee; soluble coffee production and investment in coffee roasteries and coffee shops.
 

Other panelists included Dr. Patience Rwamigisha, Assistant Commissioner Directorate of Agricultural Extension Services in the Ministry of Agriculture and Prince Bobby Juuko Kimbugwe, CEO Pure Grow Africa, who represented the private sector.
 

As UCDA works towards achieving the Presidential directive of 20 million 60kg bags of coffee by 2030 it is important to benchmark with such big producers on strategies that can be
used to accelerate production from the current 8.4 million bags.
 

Discussions at the summit focused on several priority sectors including agriculture with focus on coffee, forestry, aquaculture, grains, agricultural research, fertilizers, pesticides, dairy and tea. Other broad sectors include ICT, tourism, industry, trade, gas and minerals.
 

The Government Chief Whip, Hon. Hamson Obua has pledged to work with UCDA to promote coffee growing in non-traditional coffee-growing regions such as the Lango sub-region in northern Uganda in a bid to support farmers switch from subsistence to commercial agriculture. 

Hon. Obua made the remarks during a visit he made to the UCDA coffee laboratory earlier today. 

 

“I want to thank the Managing Director (Dr. Iyamulemye) who came to my office to congratulate me upon my appointment but also to interest me in coffee. I come from a non-traditional coffee-growing area that is Lango which is comprised of 9 districts. I committed to the MD to hold the bull by the horns and start to promote coffee,” he said. 

 

UCDA has a programme to promote coffee growing in Northern Uganda. The programme is part of the initiatives introduced by the Authority to increase coffee production to 20 million bags by 2025, as per the Coffee Roadmap. Once achieved, the country will earn up to USD 2.2 billion per year through exports. 

 

“I want to take the lead for Lango. I am ready to mobilise the farmers. I will talk to the farmers about coffee on the radio, in meetings, and in other spaces,” Hon. Obua said. “We need to transform the country and, one of the transformational agendas is growing coffee including introducing it in non-traditional areas.”

 

He added that the biggest promoter of coffee in the country is H.E President Yoweri Museveni. 

 

“I want to tell you that the biggest promoter, the biggest marketer of coffee in the country is H.E the President, because on several occasions when he talks about the 4-acre model and the list of enterprises (for households to take on), coffee is priority number one,” Obua said.

 

Hon. Obua added that he intends to start growing coffee on a small scale after the inspiration and motivation for the President.

 

The President has called on Ugandans who want to move from subsistence to commercial agriculture to apportion some of their land to coffee. Under the 4-acre model, the President has recommended farmers dedicate one acre to coffee. 

 

In 2018, the President launched a 4-acre demo farm at Barlegi in Otuke district where farmers could go and learn about coffee growing. One acre is dedicated to coffee.

 

“Why should we have coffee only at the President’s demo farm in Otuke and even people around Otuke are not growing coffee?” Obua wondered. He added that efforts to popularize coffee must be enhanced. 

More farmers are embracing coffee growing as evidenced by the growth in export volumes. Coffee exports for 12 months (August 2021- July 2022) totaled 6.14 million bags worth US$ 875.95 million. This is the highest amount Uganda has ever earned from coffee in a single year. 

According to Dr. Iyamulemye, between 17% to19% of Uganda’s foreign exchange comes from coffee. The Authority has built a robust laboratory to ensure Uganda continues to export high-quality coffee to buyers globally. 

 

Uganda coffee is very popular in the USA, Europe, Japan, and the Middle East and there is a growing demand among African countries.

 

“Our coffee is number three in the world and given its quality, it is highly sought after. We follow stringent protocols here in the lab to ensure we export coffee that meets the standards of the buyers,” Dr. Iyamulemye said. 

 

Ms. Doreen Rweihangwe, the Director Quality and Regulatory Services at UCDA told Hon. Obua that UCDA has 25 inspectors who do physical grading, roasting, and sensory analysis of coffee samples before shipment to the final destination. 

 

“Uganda is where Robusta coffee originates and the protocols for evaluating Robusta coffee were developed in this laboratory. The UCDA coffee lab is internationally recognized and held in high regard,” Ms. Rweihangwe said. 

 

She added that UCDA registers coffee sales and carries out pre-shipment inspections for all coffee leaving the country. 

 

“We run stringent tests in the laboratory. This is why UCDA has been able to avoid product recalls and rejects that have affected other sectors. This is because of our stringent adherence to standards.” Rweihangwe added.

 

The USA is a popular destination for Uganda’s Arabica coffee while Europe is the biggest importer of Uganda’s Robusta coffee.

 

Hon. Obua noted that two weeks ago, while out of the country with team Uganda at the World Athletic Championships in Oregon, the discussions were not complete without talk about Uganda coffee, implying that it is an excellent product that has captured the attention of the world.

 

The Uganda Coffee Development has sent out a call for samples for the second edition of the Best of the Pearl Robusta competition 2022. The deadline for submission is August 19, 2022.

In an effort to promote Uganda’s finest coffees and ensure their visibility in the international market, Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) in partnership with the Uganda Coffee Federation (UCF) and the International Trade Centre (ITC) through the European Union East Africa Market Access Programme (EAC MARKUP), is organizing the Best of the Pearl Robusta Competition to select the best Robusta coffee in Uganda. The entries from across the country will be judged by a national and international jury certified by the Coffee Quality Institute (CQI).

Quality is one of the most important variables that influence a coffee’s value. However, many coffee farmers and producers do not have access to the tools and support they need to understand the quality of their coffee, improve that quality, and access markets that reward that quality, ultimately enabling them to make more informed choices.

While Uganda’s coffee is lauded the world over for its unique attributes and is ranked as one of the best in the world, a lot of farmers have not had the opportunity to know how coffee is scored in international markets. Therefore, they miss out on opportunities to improve the quality and produce coffee that can fetch premium prices at the highest level.

The Best of the Pearl competition, therefore, presents an opportunity for Robusta farmers to have their coffee cupped and judged by a team of local and international judges who will select the very best and give feedback on areas for improvement.

UCDA will showcase the winning Robusta coffee at international fairs and an online auction will be held to have them sold to the highest bidder.

Uganda is the birthplace of Robusta coffee and it is important to raise the profile of our coffee in line with the aspirations of the Coffee Roadmap.

Kampala, Uganda - The Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) today signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) at Kampala Serena Hotel.

Dr. Emmanuel Iyamulemye, Managing Director UCDA signed on behalf of UCDA while Steven Asiimwe, the Chief Executive Officer signed on behalf of PSFU.

Dr. Iyamulemye, thanked Mr. Asiimwe for accepting to cooperate with UCDA to drive the coffee sector forward. Under the MOU, UCDA will work with PSFU to establish a mutual cooperation in the coffee subsector regarding production, productivity, marketing, policy environment, research and coffee business in the Private Sector of Uganda.

Stephen Asiimwe, the CEO PSFU noted that the private sector is the engine for economic growth in the country and working UCDA is going to open up new opportunities in areas such as ICT, tourism marketing, domestic consumption and finance. He added that the Memorandum is timely and a strong public private partnership will propel the industry to greater heights.

Under the memorandum, the specific areas of cooperation will include creation and exchange of information, cooperation on promoting coffee production, processing, domestic consumption and marketing in the private sector in Uganda and its membership.

Other areas include promotion and improvement in the marketing of coffee, including developing digital marketing platforms, with a view of optimizing efficiency and job creation among the youth; promoting domestic consumption of coffee in the private sector; promotion of coffee tourism and promotion of internationally accepted standards and quality of coffee to enhance its competitiveness.

UCDA will also work with PSFU to influence and lobby areas of mutual interest and pursue legal, regulatory and policy changes in the coffee value chain.

The two entities also agreed to raise private sector awareness about the value of coffee to the economy and household livelihood.

PSFU is an umbrella body for the private sector made up of 298 Business associations, Corporate bodies and the major Public Sector Agencies that support private sector growth in Uganda.