- Ugandan coffee producers are divided about the country’s decision last month to withdraw from the International Coffee Organization (ICO).
- Ugandan officials blamed tariffs and other barriers restricting its coffee exports for the decision to withdraw from a two-year extension of ICO’s 2007 international coffee agreement.
Ugandan coffee producers are divided about the country’s decision last month to withdraw from the International Coffee Organization (ICO).Ugandan officials blamed tariffs and other barriers restricting its coffee exports for the decision to withdraw from a two-year extension of ICO’s 2007 international coffee agreement.
The government decision to withdraw is supported by the National Union of Coffee Agribusiness (NUCAFE), which includes about 1,500 coffee farmers. According to NUCAFE, it opens opportunities for farmers to take ownership of their product and to invest and upgrade their coffee which will lead to enhanced returns. According to Emmanuel Iyamulemy, the managing director of Uganda’s Coffee Development Authority, Uganda small and medium-sized enterprises can now focus on promoting their coffee in other markets, particularly big markets like the United States, Japan, South Korea, Australia and of course, the Scandinavian countries and Europe.
However, another section of farmers allege that the move prevents the farmer from taking it to warehouses in the International Commodities Exchange that may end up in surplus stocks.
ICO operations head Gerardo Patacconi revealed that the organization was exploring the integration of the private sector and a public-private task force in a new draft coffee agreement with Uganda. Uganda is one among the top exporters of Robusta coffee, exporting 6.1 million bags annually.
Read More;
https://trendsnafrica.com/uganda-to-up-coffee-production-and-exports/
https://trendsnafrica.com/ugandas-coffee-exports-at-record-high-driven-by-higher-production/
https://trendsnafrica.com/record-ugandan-coffee-beans-exports-to-italy/
