Global coffee prices continued to rise at the end of last week, but coffee farmers in Uganda were still receiving prices within the same ranges reported earlier, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF).In its coffee market update issued on Monday, October 5, 2026, MAAIF said both Robusta and Arabica prices recorded gains on the international market.
The November 2026 Robusta contract closed at US$3,469 per tonne after gaining US$21.The January 2027 contract also increased by US$45 to close at US$3,448 per tonne.MAAIF said the rise in Robusta prices could continue as traders who had earlier bet on falling prices begin buying coffee to close their positions.The ministry explained that this activity is known as short covering, where traders purchase an asset after previously expecting its price to fall.Arabica prices also increased on the New York market during the same period.The December 2026 Arabica contract closed at 288.75 US cents per pound, representing an increase of 0.50 cents.This was equivalent to approximately US$6.37 per kilogramme, or Shs25,361 based on the exchange rate used by MAAIF.
The March 2027 contract gained 0.90 cents to reach 280.50 US cents per pound, equivalent to about US$6.18 or Shs24,637 per kilogramme.MAAIF attributed part of the increase to a weaker US dollar, which encouraged traders to buy back their positions.The ministry also cited concerns over the possible impact of an El Niño weather pattern on Brazil’s next coffee crop.Brazil is the world’s largest coffee producer, making any expected reduction in its production a major concern for the international coffee market.Despite the global increase, prices paid to farmers in Uganda remained relatively stable.Arabica parchment was selling at between Shs15,000 and Shs16,000 per kilogramme, while clean Drugar was fetching between Shs14,500 and Shs15,000.
FAQ coffee was trading between Shs12,000 and Shs13,000 per kilogramme, while Kiboko was selling at between Shs5,000 and Shs6,000.MAAIF also reported that the prices of Ugandan Robusta exports varied according to the quality and grade of the coffee.Screen 18 Robusta was quoted at Shs15,255 per kilogramme, compared with Shs14,816 for Screen 15 and Shs14,553 for Screen 12.For Arabica, Bugisu AA was quoted at Shs24,922 per kilogramme, Bugisu A at Shs24,834 and Bugisu B at Shs24,659.Drugar was quoted at Shs23,078 per kilogramme, while the highest price recorded for the variety stood at US$3.42 per pound.MAAIF said the coffee price analysis is conducted by its Department of Coffee Production and Development in collaboration with partner institutions and companies operating in the coffee market.
The figures highlight the difference between international coffee prices and the prices received by farmers at the local level.While global market movements can influence Uganda’s coffee sector, farmers do not always benefit immediately when international prices rise.Weather conditions, coffee quality, market demand and Uganda’s export performance will continue to play an important role in determining the earnings of farmers and the wider coffee industry.
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