Ugandan coffee has made great strides in the Turkish market, increasing exports by more than 2,600 tonnes in the past five years.
According to statistics from the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA), Uganda’s exports to Turkey are set to increase from just 2,000 bags (120 tonnes) in 2019 to 44,000 bags (2,640 tonnes) by 2024.
One tonne is equivalent to 1,000 kg and the price of one kilogram of dried coffee in Uganda is currently about Sh6,000, meaning that Uganda’s coffee exports to Turkey are currently about 2.64 million kg, costing about Sh15.8 billion.
Julius Mwijutsa, Counsellor for Economic and Commercial Diplomacy at the Ugandan Embassy in Ankara, told Daily Monitor that Ugandan coffee is popular in Turkey because of its quality.
Mwijutsiya said there was high demand for Robusta coffee, especially Screen 18 and Screen 15, which Uganda could supply.
“Turkey is an attractive market with a large population and a growing economy, offering great opportunities for Ugandan coffee exporters,” he said in an interview.
He added: “Given Turkey’s economic potential and Uganda’s goal of expanding its coffee exports, we focused on establishing a strong presence in the Turkish market. Our efforts have borne remarkable fruit, with Uganda’s coffee exports to Turkey increasing from 2,000 bags in 2019 to 44,000 bags by 2023.”
The Ugandan Embassy in Ankara recently participated in the Coffex International Coffee Exhibition in Istanbul to raise awareness about Ugandan coffee and its unique characteristics.
“Turkey’s tourism industry is particularly noteworthy, with cities such as Istanbul and Antalya attracting millions of tourists every year,” said Counselor Mwijca, whose mandate in Turkey ends at the end of June.
“In fact, the most visited city in the world in 2023 will be Istanbul, with more than 20 million tourists, followed by London, Dubai and Antalya,” he added.
Coffee consumption in Turkey has increased four-fold over the past decade, with per capita consumption set to reach 1.7 kg in 2023. According to UCDA statistics, net coffee consumption in Turkey, China and Malaysia is set to increase by a combined 1.3 million bags in 2022/23, a 12.4% increase.
“A significant increase in coffee exports to Turkey will have major economic benefits for Uganda,” Counsellor Mwijutsa said.
Mwijutsiya believes that with the support of the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ugandan coffee can establish a strong presence in the Turkish market and contribute to the country’s economic growth.
The potential revenue gains are significant, with estimates that Uganda’s coffee exports to Turkey could reach $1.5 billion by 2025.
He also believes his successor will continue the progressive trend.
“Our mission’s strategic plan aims to ensure continuity and sustained progress in our economic and commercial diplomacy efforts. I am confident that with a dedicated expert at the helm, our cooperation with Turkey will intensify, promoting growth and prosperity for both our countries,” he said.
