The Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries Frank Tumwebaze has pledged continued prioritization in working with the private sector.

This was revealed during a half day dialogue with Coffee Private sector actors (farmers, processors, exporters among others) on the coffee road map.

The team discussed how to sustain Uganda’s humble wins in the international markets with the great Coffee. Tumwebaze appreciated all the participants for their valuable inputs. “Our focus now is on ensuring that each commodity has a fully developed value chain informed by the Market. I thank all participants for your time & valuable inputs to this dialogue” said Tumwebaze.

JKCC General supplies ltd is one of the leading exporters of Ugandan coffee to Latin America among other countries and was also appreciated by the Minister.

The Demand for Ugandan coffee in Italy, where espresso lovers abound, has helped increase the East African nation’s exports of the beans to the highest in at least 30 years.

In August, Uganda overtook Vietnam to become the second-largest supplier of coffee to Italy for the first time this year, behind Brazil. Total shipments jumped 21% to 6.5 million 60-kilogram bags in the year through September – Uganda’s highest in three decades – about a third of that going to Italy.

Italy and Germany, which together produced more than 60% of the European Union’s roasted coffee last year, have diversified their sources for the beans. With Brazil and Vietnam having had trouble exporting amid shipping disruptions, European buyers increased uptake from growers.