Ugandan coffee exporters have secured deals worth $3 million at the China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries confirmed in a statement.
Top exporters, including Meg Rai Coffee, Kwezi Coffee, Inspire Africa, and Elgon Coffee, showcased their products and held one-on-one meetings with Chinese buyers, traders, roasters, and logistics firms interested in sourcing Ugandan coffee and other agricultural products.
The Ugandan delegation also participated in side events such as the “Exploration of the Development of the Coffee Industry Chain under Digital Empowerment” forum and a seminar on “Import Policies and Development of Agricultural and Food Products from Least Developed Countries.”
According to the ministry, Uganda’s coffee exports to China have already surged by 190 percent this year.
In a major development, Uganda signed a memorandum of understanding with Cotti Coffee, a Chinese private coffeehouse brand, to promote Ugandan coffee across the country.
“With Cotti Coffee’s massive retail reach and Uganda’s unmatched coffee diversity, this collaboration will anchor Uganda as the definitive African coffee brand in Asia, while giving Chinese consumers a fresh, ethical, and distinctly Ugandan coffee experience,” the ministry said.
The partnership will cover the entire coffee value chain, connecting Ugandan farmers and processors directly with Cotti Coffee, which operates more than 7,500 coffee shops in 28 countries.
The delegation of 28 exporters and government officials also took part in seminars on agricultural innovation, Silk Road e-commerce, and sustainable trade, positioning Ugandan coffee as a product aligned with China’s focus on green development and digital commerce.