|
Type of coffee: |
Arabica, Robusta, Roasted |
|
Volume (MTs 2003): |
33,179 MT - Arabica
128,505.88 MT - Robusta
|
|
Value ($ 2003): |
$24,434,445 - Arabica
$80,352,651 - Robusta
|
|
Brand names: |
Roasted - Star Cafe, Elgon Pride, Ban Cafe |
|
Marketing system: |
Direct Sale |
| Marketing trends:
|
| Past five years: |
Fluctuating - Arabica; Increasing - Robusta |
| Next five years: |
Increase in both Arabica and Robusta |
|
Processing: |
Wet and dry processing |
|
Harvest season: |
Arabica: Oct-Feb: Main crop, Aug Fly crop
Robusta: Oct-Feb: Main crop for North Equator
May-Aug: Main crop for South Equator
|
|
Port of shipment: |
Mombasa |
|
Export destinations: |
European countries |
Uganda is a land-locked country in East Africa, bordering
Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo
and the Sudan. The country has seen a tremendous rate of
progress and development in the past 15 years. Blessed
with an ideal climate, Uganda is a lush country with an
astounding amount of lakes, wetlands and rivers, and is the
source of the mighty River Nile.
This is a geographically and scenically diverse country,
dubbed by Winston Churchill as the Pearl of Africa. It
straddles the equator and boasts mist-shrouded volcanic
mountains, glacier capped peaks, simmering hot springs,
semi-arid desert, and rolling fertile hills. There are over
500 forest reserves and a number of national parks and
game reserves in the country, providing a safe habitat for
this country’s array of unique wildlife. Recognised for its
wide range of primates (chimpanzees, numerous monkeys
and the rare mountain gorilla) and its impressive bird
list which tops more than 1,000 species, Uganda is also
fast becoming a popular eco-tourism destination for the
naturalist and wildlife enthusiast.
Uganda has a long tradition of coffee production - dating
back more than 100 years - and is now ranked 2nd in
Africa and 7th in the world for coffee production. It is
the leading exporter of organic coffee in Africa.
It is widely accepted that while Ethiopia is the original
source of Arabica coffee, Uganda is the source of Robusta.
Centuries ago, Ugandan warriors would chew the bean or
cherry before going into battle. This would make them
feel strong, brave and invincible. The variety of wild
robusta coffees still growing
in Uganda’s rainforests are
thought to be some of the rarest
examples of naturally occurring
coffee trees anywhere in the
world.
Coffee has been the largest
single foreign exchange earner
for the country since the 1970’s,
and is based entirely on smallscale
production. Robusta coffee
accounts for 94% of the output,
while Arabica coffee accounts
for the remaining 6%. There are
approximately 500,000 coffee
farms in Uganda. About 25%
of the entire country’s population, is dependent on coffee
for their livelihood. Other exports from Uganda include
cotton, fish, tea, tobacco, maize, beans, and sesame.
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