Uganda’s coffee industry has made a significant breakthrough in the Turkish market after the country’s exports increased by a remarkable 2,200% between 2019 and 2024.
The great stride is marked in the jump from 2,000 bags (120 tons) in 2019 to 44,000 bags (2,640 tons) in 2024.
“This impressive growth is attributed to the Uganda Mission in Türkiye’s strategic shift in approaching investment, trade, and tourism. By focusing on Uganda’s major product that Turkey cannot easily substitute – coffee – the Mission successfully tapped into the Turkish market’s growing demand for high-quality coffee,” a statement from the foreign affairs ministry noted recently.
“Turkey offers a significant opportunity for Ugandan coffee exporters, with its large population and growing economy making it an attractive market,” said Counselor Julius Mwijutsya, in charge of Economic and Commercial Diplomacy at the Uganda Embassy in Ankara elaborated.
According to Mwijutsya, “Given Turkey’s economic potential and Uganda’s goal to expand its coffee exports, we concentrated on establishing a strong presence in the Turkish market. Our efforts yielded impressive results, with coffee exports from Uganda to Turkey increasing from 2000 bags in 2019 to 44,000 bags in 2023”.
The ministry reported that the coffee from the Pearl of Africa had gained popularity in Turkey due to its “excellent intrinsic quality characteristics, with many coffees suitable for differentiated markets.” “In particular, there is a strong demand for Robusta coffees, especially Screen 18 and Screen 15, which Uganda can supply,” the ministry added.
The Uganda Embassy in Ankara has been actively promoting Ugandan coffee and even participated in the Coffex International Coffee Exhibition in Istanbul. The Embassy’s efforts have helped raise awareness about Ugandan coffee and its unique characteristics, the ministry explained.
“Turkey’s tourism industry is particularly noteworthy, with cities like Istanbul and Antalya, attracting millions of visitors each year,” Mwijutsya said. “In fact, Istanbul was the most visited city in the world in 2023, with over 20 million tourists, followed by London, Dubai, and Antalya.”
Research indicates that Türkiye’s coffee consumption has increased fourfold in the last 10 years, with per capita consumption standing at 1.7kg in 2023.
“The potential revenue gains are substantial, with estimates suggesting that Uganda’s coffee exports to Turkey could hit the $1.5 billion mark by 2025. This would not only boost Uganda’s economy but also solidify its position as a major player in the global coffee market,” the ministry noted.
