Africa hits record coffee exports as Ethiopia and Uganda lead

Africa exported 1.18 million tonnes of coffee in 2025, with Ethiopia and Uganda as the key contributors, while coffee shipments from across the world declined, according to a report by APA news via the International Coffee Organisation (ICO) on December 16th. 

The ICO confirmed that this number was the highest level ever recorded for the continent. Ethiopia and Uganda alone accounted for nearly 80% of that total, highlighting their growing presence in global coffee exports.

Ethiopia’s coffee exports increased by 27.3% to 442,200 tonnes in 2025, while Uganda reported an even sharper increase, with exports up by 29.6% to 495,600 tonnes. Both the East African nations have benefited from favourable harvests, high international prices and efforts to improve access for exporters.

In Ethiopia, the ICO revealed that this strong performance is a result of policy changes and market conditions. The government introduced reforms to simplify export procedures, along with better access to foreign buyers, which helped increase volumes.

Ethiopia now exports to key markets such as Germany, the United States and Saudi Arabia, while China’s zero-tariff policy on African goods has opened new opportunities, continuing to surge prices. 

Coffee-producing nations across Africa are scaling up their efforts, as several countries want to increase the continent’s global exports to 20% by 2030. Initiatives have been launched in Tanzania, Kenya and other producing nations to increase output, improve quality and modernise auction and trading systems.

Tanzania, Africa’s third-largest coffee exporter after Uganda and Ethiopia, announced in April 2025 that it is preparing a strategy to quadruple its coffee production by 2030. Additionally, the continent is seeking to deepen the African Continental Free Trade Area, while also pushing into the digital future of Africa. 

The ICO data also indicated a strong global demand as prices for Arabica coffee increased sharply in 2025, rising by 51% and reaching $8.26 per kilogram by September 30, 2025. Higher prices have encouraged producers to increase shipments where possible.

Africa’s strong growth comes at a time when global coffee exports fell by 0.3%, mainly due to decreased production in South America, helping African producers increase their visibility in international markets, even though the continent currently contributes to only 11.6% of global coffee exports.

APA News, International Coffee Organisation, Maghrebi.org