Farmers upbeat as coffee prices continue upward trend in Ibanda

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Coffee growers in Uganda's western district of Ibanda have a reason to smile as coffee prices have continued to increase over the recent weeks.

For instance, Robusta coffee (clean) now goes for sh10,700 per kilogramme in Ibanda town, up from sh10,200 at the end of January. It costs sh10,500 in Bisheshe compared to sh10,000 two weeks ago.

It has been getting better, from a farmer's point of view.

In mid-January, the price was sh9,200, up from sh8,700 at the beginning of last December.

Prices for Arabica coffee beans have also inched up, trading at sh10,200 per kilogramme in Bisheshe and Ibanda town and indicating an increase from sh10,000 at the beginning of February. 

Arabica was at sh8,000 per kilo at the start of December 2023.

Traders project Robusta coffee prices to drop over the next weeks as its harvest season comes to an end. When the crop is off-season, fewer traders come to the market, which hurts rates.

Meanwhile, the Arabica coffee prices are being supported by an increased supply and quality beans coming to the market. However, traders say this season’s production could be low compared to the previous one.

Patience Katunge Akampa from Bisheshe Cooperative Society explains that usually after a good harvest, Arabica coffee production drops the next season given the ‘delicate’ nature of the variety.

The chairperson of Nyakatookye Coffee Growers Cooperative Society said the flowering for Arabica coffee wasn’t good in most parts of the district, a pointer to low output this harvest season.

The Arabica coffee season has just started in Ibanda district, while that of Robusta is ending.

Farmers happy

David Kiiza, a farmer in Katafaari, Kashangura in Kagongo division, said the good prices have boosted the morale of farmers. 

"As a result, we are now looking after the coffee as per recommended coffee husbandry practices to ensure quality," he said.

Kiiza has called on the government to resume the distribution of free coffee wilt disease (CWD) resistant seedlings to farmers, saying this will further increase production and secure the sector.

According to Uganda Coffee Development Authority indicative prices for February 15, fair average quality (FAQ) coffee ranged from sh10,000-11,000, Kiboko sh5,000-5,500, Arabica parchment was going for between sh11,000 and sh12,000 while drugar coffee (clean) was at sh10,000-11,000.