Globally, coffee production is expected to hit a record 178.7 million bags in 2025/26.

Uganda’s coffee industry is stirring up strong momentum, with exports reaching 855,441 bags in August 2025, earning the country Shs722.58 bn, according to the latest report from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF)

While this marks a 2.45% rise in volume compared to August last year, total earnings dipped 8.19%, largely due to a softening in global prices.

Robusta coffee remained the dominant force, contributing 797,363 bags worth US$180.79mn (≈ Shs705 billion), while Arabica accounted for 58,078 bags, generating US$21.96mn (≈ Shs85.64 billion). Despite the overall drop in Robusta value, Arabica showed impressive gains up 11.88% in volume and nearly 64% in value year-on-year.

The average export price stood at US$3.95 per kilogram (≈ Shs15,405/kg), a decline from US$4.19 in July and US$4.41 last August, reflecting continued global price pressure. MAAIF attributed the lower prices to lingering effects from July’s global market dip, especially for Robusta.

In the 12-month period from September 2024 to August 2025, Uganda exported 7.93 million bags of coffee, up from 6.73 million bags the year prior. Earnings skyrocketed by 58.72%, reaching Shs7.94 trillion, thanks to stronger volume and Arabica’s price surge.

At the farm-gate, prices remained encouraging: Robusta Kiboko fetched Shs6,500/kg, Robusta FAQ Shs13,500/kg, Arabica parchment Shs14,500/kg, while Drugar held steady at Shs13,500/kg, despite a slight dip.

On the export front, Kyagalanyi Coffee Ltd led with an 8.73% share, followed closely by Export Trading Company (8.61%) and Olam Uganda Ltd (8.26%). Together, the top 10 exporters controlled 64% of Uganda’s coffee trade.

Globally, coffee production is expected to hit a record 178.7 million bags in 2025/26, fuelled by recoveries in Vietnam and Indonesia, and record output from Ethiopia, according to the USDA.

Locally, MAAIF credited favourable weather conditions for supporting coffee activities such as planting, pruning, and training. In August alone, over 145 farmer trainings were conducted across 11 regions, reaching 4,000+ farmers, with a focus on climate-smart practices, pest control, and agronomic skills.

Looking ahead, Uganda’s coffee exports for September 2025 are projected at 750,000 bags, as the main harvest season begins in Central and Eastern regions—positioning Uganda to remain a leading coffee exporter both regionally and globally.

Tanzania's tea industry is once again proving that it can compete on both quality and scale.

Tanzania’s tea industry is steeping in new life, fuelled by the revival of long-dormant factories and fresh investment in modern processing facilities

With national output already up by over 5% to 22,000 tonnes in the 2024/25 season, projections suggest a harvest exceeding 30,000 tonnes of made tea by year-end — a significant leap for one of East Africa’s most promising but underleveraged agricultural sectors.

Beatrice Banzi, director general of the Tea Board of Tanzania (TBT), attributes this upward trend to both public-private partnerships and renewed government focus. Notably, Kilolo Tea Factory — once idle — has resumed operations under a joint venture with Chinese investors. Now producing high-grade orthodox tea for both domestic and export markets, Kilolo is a symbol of the sector’s new direction.

"The government is reviewing previously privatised but now non-operational tea factories with the aim of returning them to farmer ownership under the current legal framework," said Banzi, signalling a push toward empowering local producers while ensuring sustainable governance.

In Dar es Salaam, new processing machinery has been installed to improve capacity, while factories in Njombe and Iringa have secured financing through CRDB Bank. These Southern Highlands regions, home to over 70% of Tanzania’s tea are also seeing the rehabilitation of estates that have lain dormant for more than 30 years.

Victoria Tea (formerly Kagera Tea) is also back in business. Located in the Kagera Region, the factory's relaunch is expected to boost both smallholder incomes and Tanzania’s tea export volumes. TBT’s Marketing Manager, Suleyman Chillo, confirmed the factory’s return and outlined plans to work closely with farmers on improved cultivation, fertiliser use, and harvesting practices.

"These aren’t just factories restarting, they’re economic engines for rural communities," Chillo explained.

Tanzania now boasts over 32,000 smallholder tea farmers and seven large-scale producers, with tea grown across six regions: Tanga, Iringa, Njombe, Mbeya, Mara, and Kagera. In total, 23,805 hectares are under cultivation.

While drought impacted the previous season’s target of 25,000 tonnes, with only 22,000 achieved, optimism remains high. TBT’s acting director of regulatory services, Mbushunoti Mindoi, said the affected factories are preparing to restart operations. "Some closures were related to management challenges, but those issues are being resolved. The affected factories are now preparing to resume operations with renewed vigour."

With renewed investment, modern equipment, and an engaged farmer base, Tanzania's tea industry is once again proving that it can compete on both quality and scale brewing real promise for local growers and global markets alike.

Sugar production remains a staple of Zimbabwe’s agricultural economy

Zimbabwe’s agriculture sector is seeing remarkable growth in 2025, with both sugar production and horticultural exports pushing the industry forward

According to IH Securities' 2025 Agriculture Sector Report, the country’s agricultural output is now on track to exceed the US$13.75bn mark by the end of the year, following the impressive US$8.2bn milestone in 2021.

Key drivers of this expansion include improved rainfall, significant government investment in infrastructure like dams, and a renewed focus on high-value crops such as horticulture. This revival is expected to bolster the economy and enhance food security, especially after a challenging 2024 marked by the El Niño-induced drought.

Sugar production remains a staple of Zimbabwe’s agricultural economy. Major producers, including Hippo Valley and Triangle, surpassed national requirements with over 440,000 tonnes in the 2024/25 season. Exports also soared, with Hippo Valley’s sugar shipments increasing by 364%, reaching 15,711 tonnes in just the first quarter. However, local consumption is under pressure, with high costs due to a 30% surtax on imports and a recently adjusted sugar tax. “The recently imposed 30 percent surtax on imports has helped local processors remain competitive, though major off-takers battle with additional costs,” explained IH Securities.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s horticulture sector is on an upward trajectory, led by avocados and blueberries. Avocado production jumped by 164% from 2017 to 2024, establishing Zimbabwe as Africa’s fifth-largest producer. With global demand rising, exports of blueberries have surged by 351% from 2020 to 2024, reaching about US$50mn. The sector’s growth is further supported by initiatives like the Horticultural Enterprise Enhancement Project (HEEP), which aims to inject US$66.5mn into smallholder farming.

Looking ahead, Zimbabwe’s horticultural exports are expected to hit US$2bn by 2030, with demand for products like blueberries, avocados, and sugar peas driving this growth.

As the country diversifies its agricultural exports, the sector is poised to overcome domestic challenges and secure new streams of revenue, fortifying Zimbabwe’s economic future.

The goal is to increase food security, strengthen market access, and reduce post-harvest losses for farmers.

In a groundbreaking initiative, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), in partnership with the Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB), local cooperatives, private sector actors, and organisations like IDH, has launched the pilot phase of the Food and Agriculture Resilience Mission Pillar 3 (FARM P3)

This innovative project targets improving the maize and soybean value chains, benefiting up to 4,000 smallholder farmers in Rwanda's Kayonza District.

With a budget of US$1.23mn, FARM P3 is part of a wider effort, complementing the IFAD-funded Kayonza Irrigation and Integrated Watershed Management Project Phase II, which aims to support 40,000 rural households. The goal is to increase food security, strengthen market access, and reduce post-harvest losses for farmers, thus enhancing their livelihoods.

"Through FARM P3, cooperatives, SMEs, and banks will work together to foster sustainable, mutually beneficial partnerships," said Dagmawi Habte-Selassie, IFAD Country Director. The initiative is designed not only to train farmers and provide essential equipment but also to create lasting business relationships, allowing smallholders to sell more, reduce waste, and boost their incomes.

A core objective of the pilot project is to address post-harvest maize losses, which currently stand at 13.8%. By introducing drying shelters for cooperatives and expanding access to mobile mechanical dryers for SMEs, FARM P3 will help farmers lower grain moisture, meet quality standards, and command better prices from buyers. This improvement will also lower sourcing risks for companies and establish stronger, long-term partnerships with local producers.

"FARM P3 will contribute to advancing PSTA 5 priorities by fostering resilient, inclusive, and market-driven value chains," said Solange Uwituze, Acting Director General of RAB.

In addition to maize, the initiative is laying the groundwork for a commercial soybean market to meet growing private-sector demand. Through inclusive business analysis, demonstration plots, and joint training efforts, the programme is setting the stage for sustainable, profitable soybean farming.

"With Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and clear market links, soybean can increase smallholder incomes by 2.3 times over five years," explained Wangari Nduta, Project Manager, Business Analytics at IDH.

FARM P3 is a key part of a broader global initiative to strengthen food systems, helping smallholder farmers across Africa gain better access to markets and investment opportunities. By reducing post-harvest losses and enhancing market linkages, this initiative is poised to drive transformative change in Rwanda’s agriculture sector.