Uganda has experienced a remarkable 190% increase in exports to China, highlighting the growing significance of trade between the two nations.
This surge was particularly evident in March, with coffee playing a key role and positioning China as Uganda’s second-largest coffee market in Asia.
This announcement was made during the inaugural Uganda-China Coffee Trade and Investment Conference held at Mestil Hotel on Tuesday, May 20.
The event, which was attended by Lizhong Zhang, the Chinese Ambassador to Uganda, along with a delegation of Chinese officials, comes against the backdrop of Uganda-China Coffee Tour 2025, a landmark initiative aimed at boosting bilateral trade, attracting investment and cementing Uganda’s reputation as a top-tier producer of Robusta and Arabica coffee.
Zhang said since 2015, China has implemented a zero-tariff treatment, with 97% of all tariff lines benefiting African countries, including Uganda.
He noted that in 2022, China expanded this zero-tariff treatment from 97% to 98% for Uganda and other African countries, which helped Uganda gain an advantage in exporting coffee to China.
“Uganda exported 35,532 bags of coffee to China in March alone, up from 12,264 in February, representing nearly a 50% increase — double the coffee exports to China. Actually, it has increased by 190%,” he said.
Zhang added that China will continue to be a reliable partner for Uganda in realising the Uganda Vision 2040 and exploring paths to modernisation for the two countries.
He noted that China has a large consumer market and is committed to high-quality development and high-level openness to the world.
Vincent Waiswa Bagiire, the permanent secretary of the foreign affairs ministry, praised the visiting Chinese delegation for participating in the Coffee Awareness Tour from May 12 to today, noting that the event provides Ugandan coffee farmers and industry stakeholders an opportunity to build relationships with Chinese investors and importers.
He revealed that it aims to facilitate direct trade links and eliminate middlemen, ultimately improving profit margins for farmers and enhancing the competitiveness of Uganda’s coffee industry. Additionally, the tours helped to promote Uganda’s heritage, production capacity and competitive advantages in global markets.
Bagiire noted that the tours also attract investments in value addition, enabling Uganda to move up the coffee value chain and enhance its foreign earnings.
He said with China’s expertise in coffee processing and packaging, Uganda can learn best practices to improve its own industry. The agriculture ministry permanent secretary, Maj. Gen. (Rtd) David Kasura Kyomukama, who was the chief guest, said Uganda is benefiting from a growing middle class of about 800 million people.
He said coffee is a beverage of choice for this demographic.
“Coffee is the second most traded commodity in the world, after oil. It offers excellent profit margins and there is always a market for it,” he noted, emphasising that the demand for coffee remains consistent.
Feng Zhiqiang, the executive director of Guangzhou Yike Food Company, who spoke on behalf of the Chinese delegation, expressed their admiration for the professionalism with which coffee is handled, right from the planting level through the value chain.
“We can see that the coffee industry in Uganda is undergoing a sophisticated transformation. Many demonstration farms are equipped to meet international standards.” Zhiqiang said.
Oliver Wonekha, Uganda’s Ambassador to China, said the tour provided an invaluable opportunity for the Chinese delegation to witness Uganda’s coffee potential, adding that this visit took the guests to Masaka, Lyantonde, Mbale and Kyenjojo, among others.
She said Uganda is well positioned to meet the growing demand in China’s dynamic coffee market, which is expanding at 15% annually.
LEAD PHOTO CAPTION: Kyomukama (standing fifth-left), Maj. Gen (Rtd) Geofrey Muheesi Baraba, the deputy head of mission at the Ugandan Embassy in Beijing (standing second-left) and Wonekha (fourth-left) during the first Uganda-China Coffee Trade and Investment meeting at Mestil Hotel in Kampala. Photo by Miriam Najjingo
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