Germany’s 9-Day Journey into Uganda’s Record-Breaking Coffee Sector Begins
Kampala, Uganda – Uganda has officially kicked off a high-profile nine-day Coffee Familiarisation Trip for a German delegation, an initiative orchestrated by the Uganda Embassy in Berlin to showcase the nation’s thriving coffee sector and fortify economic ties between the two countries.
The delegation arrived in Uganda on May 2, and the tour began in earnest on May 3 with a strategic visit to the National Coffee Research Institute (NaCORI). There, participants received a comprehensive briefing on the state of Uganda’s coffee industry. Dr. Geofrey Arinaitwe, Director of NaCORI, underscored coffee’s pivotal role as a driver of rural transformation, noting its substantial impact on boosting household incomes across farming communities.
“Coffee is not just a crop; it is a lifeline for our rural economies and a cornerstone of our export strategy,” Dr. Arinaitwe stated during the briefing.
Surpassing Ethiopia in Exports
One of the key highlights of the visit was Dr. Arinaitwe’s revelation that Uganda has recently surpassed Ethiopia in coffee exports, marking a significant milestone in the country’s agricultural history. He pointed to emerging opportunities in specialty coffee markets and emphasized advancements in traceability and value addition as critical factors in Uganda’s growing global prominence.
According to Dr. Arinaitwe, continued investment in research, the development of resilient coffee varieties, and market-driven innovation will be essential to sustaining Uganda’s competitiveness on the international stage.
Cupping Sessions and Industry Engagement
Following the NaCORI visit, the delegation traveled to Bugolobi for a professional coffee cupping session organized by the Commercial Coffee Producers Association of Uganda (CCPAU). This association, which unites stakeholders across the entire coffee value chain, is dedicated to promoting high-quality Ugandan coffee in international markets through initiatives focused on quality improvement, market expansion, and value addition.
The day concluded with a networking dinner at the Bougainvillea Hotel, offering participants a relaxed environment to reflect on the day’s insights and engage in deeper discussions about future trade opportunities.
Economic Diplomacy in Action
The familiarisation trip is a key component of Uganda’s broader economic diplomacy agenda, aimed at positioning its coffee as a premium global product while deepening trade partnerships with key international markets like Germany. With Germany being one of the largest coffee importers in Europe, this initiative is expected to open new doors for Ugandan coffee producers and processors.
As the nine-day tour continues, the delegation is scheduled to visit coffee farms, processing facilities, and cooperatives, gaining firsthand experience of the journey from bean to cup.
