Uganda has made a bold statement on the global stage, positioning itself as one of the fastest-growing and most reliable coffee exporters in the world.
At the SCAJ World Specialty Coffee Conference & Exhibition 2025, Asia’s largest coffee event, Uganda presented its premium Arabica and Robusta coffee under the theme “Uganda – the pearl of Africa”.
Held at Tokyo Big Sight and expected to attract over 75,000 visitors, the annual SCAJ event is a major platform for global coffee trade and innovation. Uganda’s presence, organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) in collaboration with the Embassy of Uganda in Japan, served both as an exhibition and a trade hub, aiming to deepen ties with Japan’s discerning specialty coffee market.
Uganda’s participation comes at a time of unprecedented performance for its coffee sector. In the 12 months leading to August 2025, the country exported 7.93 million 60-kg bags, earning USD 2.24 billion — a 58.7% increase in value compared to the previous year, according to official figures from MAAIF.
In August 2025 alone, exports reached 855,441 bags, valued at USD 202.75 million. Notably, Arabica exports rose by nearly 64% in value, with top-grade beans such as Mt. Elgon A+ fetching USD 9.42 per kilogram on the international market.
“Japan values quality, traceability, sustainability and authenticity. Uganda delivers all four – and with volumes that can sustain long-term partnerships,” said Tophace Kaahwa, Uganda’s Ambassador to Japan, during the official opening of the pavilion.
Inside the Uganda pavilion, visitors are taken on an immersive journey “from bean to cup.” High-resolution visuals highlight Uganda’s rich coffee-growing regions, from the volcanic soils of Mount Elgon to the lush slopes of the Rwenzori Mountains.
Interactive cupping sessions, live brewing demonstrations, and sustainability talks are connecting Japanese roasters and consumers with the stories behind Uganda’s beans. The message is clear: Uganda’s coffee is not only world-class but also ethically and sustainably produced.
An 80-minute seminar, jointly hosted by MAAIF and the Ugandan Embassy in Tokyo, featured discussions on climate-smart agriculture, traceability, and farmer empowerment, reinforcing Uganda’s commitment to meeting the highest global standards.
While Europe remains Uganda’s largest coffee market, officials are increasingly looking East.
“Asia, and particularly Japan, represents the next frontier for Uganda’s specialty coffee,” said Gordon Katwirenabo, Assistant Commissioner for Quality Assurance and Value Addition at MAAIF.
“Uganda’s coffee story is about transformation — from smallholder farms to premium export markets. We are proving that quality, sustainability, and scale can go hand in hand.”
Exporters participating in the Tokyo event include Mountain Harvest, Bugisu Cooperative Union (BCU), Just Know Your Coffee Cup (JKCC), Gorilla Highlands Coffee, and Crystal Coffee. These companies are engaging in real-time deal-making with Japanese buyers, facilitated by both MAAIF and Uganda’s trade mission in Japan.
Uganda, the birthplace of Robusta coffee and Africa’s top Robusta exporter, is also gaining global recognition for its high-altitude Arabicas grown in unique microclimates.
The country’s presence at SCAJ 2025 is part of a wider strategy to build Uganda’s global coffee identity, enhance farmer incomes, and expand market share in premium markets.
“This is not a one-off,” noted Katwirenabo. “It’s part of a long-term plan to position Uganda as a dependable, quality-first coffee origin in a rapidly evolving global market.”
With global coffee consumption expected to grow at 2.2% annually and traditional suppliers like Brazil and Colombia facing production constraints, Uganda is emerging as a strong, stable alternative.
“Uganda’s appearance at SCAJ 2025 is about telling the world that our coffee is world-class, sustainable, and ready for every market,” Katwirenabo concluded. “Our exports are at record highs – and this is just the beginning.”
