Buy robusta coffee direct from Uganda at current FOB prices: Screen 18 at USc 189.52/kg ($1,895/MT), Screen 15 at USc 184.52/kg ($1,845/MT), Screen 12 at USc 181.52/kg ($1,815/MT). Full container loads (19.2MT FCL) from verified exporters in Kampala. Track live robusta prices and request supplier quotes today.
All prices sourced from the daily UCDA Kampala auction. Uganda robusta prices track the ICE London robusta futures contract (currently estimated at $5,959/MT) with a quality differential. Monitor live daily price updates for the most current rates.
| Grade | Screen Spec | USc/kg | $/MT | $/FCL (19.2MT) | UGX/kg | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen 18 | 90%+ above screen 18 | 189.52 | $1,895 | $36,388 | 7,030 | Espresso blends, premium instant |
| Screen 15 | 90%+ above screen 15 | 184.52 | $1,845 | $35,428 | 6,845 | Instant coffee, commercial blends |
| Screen 12 | 90%+ above screen 12 | 181.52 | $1,815 | $34,852 | 6,733 | Soluble coffee, value blends |
Prices as of July 23, 2026. Source: UCDA daily auction data via ugandacoffeeprices.com. FOB Mombasa basis. UGX converted at USD 1 = UGX 3,709.76.
Uganda's Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) certifies three export-grade robusta screens. Each grade has specific defect tolerances, moisture limits, and typical buyer profiles. Uganda robusta is naturally lower in caffeine than Vietnamese robusta, with a cleaner, less earthy cup.
A standard 20-foot container holds 19.2 metric tonnes of green coffee: 320 bags at 60kg each. This is the industry-standard FCL unit. Some exporters accept LCL (less than container load) for trial orders of 5-10 MT at a 8-12% premium on the FOB price.
Standard MOQ: 1 FCL (19.2 MT / 320 bags) for commercial contracts. Trial order MOQ: 5-10 MT LCL at 8-12% premium. Typical contract: 1-5 containers per month with quarterly price review. Discuss specific requirements with your chosen exporter using our supplier inquiry form.
| Quantity | Bags (60kg) | Total MT | SC18 Cost (FOB) | SC15 Cost (FOB) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 FCL | 320 | 19.2 | $36,388 | $35,428 | Standard export unit |
| 2 FCL | 640 | 38.4 | $72,777 | $70,857 | Volume discount negotiable |
| 5 FCL | 1,600 | 96.0 | $181,942 | $177,142 | Quarterly contract typical |
| LCL (trial) | 83-167 | 5-10 | +8-12% | +8-12% | Premium on FOB rate |
First transactions: always use a confirmed LC at sight through a correspondent bank.
Most Uganda robusta trades FOB Mombasa. CIF quotes available on request from exporters.
Uganda is the world's 8th largest coffee producer and the birthplace of robusta. The indigenous robusta varieties found here have distinct quality advantages over commercial robusta from Vietnam, Brazil, and Indonesia.
| Attribute | Uganda | Vietnam | Brazil (Conilon) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen 18 price/MT | $1,895 | $2,050-2,200 | $1,750-1,900 |
| Caffeine content | 1.8-2.2% (lower) | 2.2-2.7% (higher) | 2.0-2.4% |
| Cup profile | Clean, chocolate, nutty | Earthy, woody, harsh | Neutral, peanut |
| Indigenous varieties | Yes, wild robusta origin | No, introduced | No, introduced |
| EUDR readiness | Advanced (government program) | Developing | Compliant (domestic) |
| Logistics to EU | 21 days Mombasa | 28-35 days | 18-22 days |
Uganda robusta fills the gap between Vietnam's volume and Brazil's conilon: it has a cleaner cup than Vietnamese robusta at a lower price point than washed arabica, making it the preferred origin for premium instant and espresso blend manufacturers in Europe. See our detailed Uganda vs Vietnam comparison for more.
Sourcing Uganda robusta follows an established 7-step process. First-time buyers should budget 6-8 weeks from initial inquiry to container sailing.
Start with our verified exporters directory. Filter by robusta specialization, export markets, certifications, and annual capacity. Shortlist 3-5 exporters that match your volume and grade requirements. Look for UCDA registration and at least 3 years of export history.
Use the request sample form to contact your shortlisted exporters. Specify your target grade (Screen 18/15/12), volume (containers/month), and destination. Expect 500g-1kg pre-shipment samples within 2-3 weeks. Cup and screen the samples yourself before proceeding.
Once you've approved samples, negotiate the contract: grade specification, quantity, Incoterm (typically FOB Mombasa), price (fixed or ICE differential), payment terms (LC at sight for first transactions), delivery window, and quality arbitration clause.
For first transactions, open a confirmed irrevocable LC at sight through your bank, naming the exporter as beneficiary. The LC should specify: grade, quantity, unit price, shipment window, required documents (bill of lading, UCDA certificate of origin, phytosanitary certificate, ICO certificate of origin, commercial invoice, packing list).
Arrange third-party inspection at the exporter's warehouse or at Mombasa before stuffing. Options: SGS, Bureau Veritas, Cotecna, or your own appointed surveyor. Verify: screen size conformity, defect count, moisture content, bag condition and marking, and container cleanliness.
The exporter trucks the container from Kampala to Mombasa (3-5 days, 900km). At Mombasa, the container is loaded onto a vessel. Documents are presented to your bank against the LC: bill of lading, commercial invoice, packing list, UCDA certificate of origin, phytosanitary certificate, ICO certificate of origin, and fumigation certificate if required.
Your freight forwarder clears the container at destination. Key documents needed: bill of lading, commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin (for preferential tariffs under GSP/EBA schemes). For EU buyers: EUDR due diligence statement with geolocation data for each plot. Most Uganda exporters now provide this.
The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) requires due diligence for coffee imports into the EU from December 2025. Uganda's government has implemented a national traceability system with geolocation for all export coffee. When requesting quotes, ask exporters for their EUDR compliance status: geolocation data, deforestation-free verification, and due diligence statement availability. Most major Uganda exporters are EUDR-ready. For detailed compliance guidance, see our EUDR compliance guide.
As of July 2026, Uganda robusta coffee FOB prices are: Screen 18 at USc 189.52/kg ($1,895/MT), Screen 15 at USc 184.52/kg ($1,845/MT), and Screen 12 at USc 181.52/kg ($1,815/MT). A full 19.2MT container of Screen 18 costs approximately $36,388 FOB Mombasa. These prices are sourced from the daily UCDA auction report. Check live robusta prices updated daily.
To buy robusta coffee directly from Uganda: (1) Browse our verified exporters directory, (2) Request samples from 3-5 suppliers using our inquiry form, (3) Negotiate FOB or CIF terms (LC or CAD payment), (4) Specify your grade (Screen 18, 15, or 12), (5) Arrange inspection and shipping from Mombasa port. Lead times are typically 4-6 weeks from contract to sailing.
The standard minimum order quantity (MOQ) for Uganda robusta coffee is one FCL (full container load) of 19.2 metric tonnes, which is 320 bags of 60kg each. Some exporters accept LCL (less than container load) shipments of 5-10MT for sample or trial orders, at a premium of 8-12% on the FOB price. For commercial contracts, 1-5 containers per month is typical.
Uganda offers three main robusta export screen grades certified by UCDA: Screen 18 (premium, 90%+ above screen 18, used for espresso blends), Screen 15 (standard export grade, 90%+ above screen 15, the workhorse of instant coffee and blends), and Screen 12 (economy grade, 90%+ above screen 12, used for soluble coffee and value blends). Uganda robusta is naturally lower in caffeine than Vietnamese robusta and has a cleaner cup profile.
Shipping robusta coffee from Uganda takes 4-6 weeks from contract signing to container sailing from Mombasa, Kenya. The breakdown: 1-2 weeks for export documentation and UCDA certification, 3-5 days for trucking from Kampala to Mombasa (900km), and 2-3 weeks ocean freight to destination ports (Europe: 21 days, Middle East: 12 days, Asia: 18-25 days, North America: 30-35 days).
Uganda coffee exporters commonly accept two payment methods: Letter of Credit (LC) at sight (most common for first-time buyers) and Cash Against Documents (CAD) for established relationships. A typical LC requires 30% advance with the balance against shipping documents. Some larger exporters accept TT (telegraphic transfer) with 50% advance. Always work through a confirmed LC for first transactions to mitigate risk.
Browse 132+ verified exporters, request samples, and compare FOB quotes. Free inquiry. No commitment.
Browse Verified Exporters Directory →