Surging coffee consumption in China is driving a sharp increase in Uganda’s coffee exports to the Asian market, Chinese officials have said.
Fan Xuecheng, charge d’affaires ad interim of the Chinese Embassy in Uganda, told the meeting, which was also attended by a delegation of Chinese investors, that a growing number of Chinese companies operating in Uganda are seeking to tap into this opportunity by investing along the country’s coffee value chain.
Data from the Chinese embassy show that Uganda’s exports to China reached about $138 million U.S. last year, up 73.8% year on year. Coffee accounted for the largest share at $ 62 million dollars, marking a 99.3% increase.
Fan attributed the growth partly to China’s zero-tariff policy covering 100% of tariff lines for African products since December 2024.
He said that expanding the policy to 53 African countries with diplomatic ties to China, starting May 1, is expected to deliver further gains for countries such as Uganda.
Vincent Bagiire, the permanent secretary at the ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Uganda offers high-quality, distinctive coffee varieties and a fully liberalized, investor-friendly value chain spanning production, processing, branding and export.
Bagiire welcomed the visiting Chinese delegation, noting that its nationwide tour provided first-hand insight into Uganda’s vast potential, from its rich coffee heritage to its globally recognized tourism attractions.
China’s green coffee bean consumption reached 367,400 tons in 2025, up 6.22% year on year, according to the Chinese embassy.
Coffee remains a key commodity in Uganda’s economic agenda, with about 1.7 million households depending on the crop, the agriculture ministry said.
In 2023/2024, Uganda recorded its highest coffee export earnings in 30 years, generating $1.14 billion, compared with $846 million in the previous year.
