Uganda has achieved a historic breakthrough in its trade relations with China, with the successful arrival of the first batch of premium Ugandan coffee in Zhengzhou, Henan Province.
The shipment, consisting of three containers totaling 60 tons, was officially received and cleared through customs in a ceremony officiated by H.E. Oliver Wonekha, Uganda’s Ambassador to China. This moment marks a proud achievement for Uganda’s coffee sector and a major step forward in promoting the country’s high-quality agricultural exports to new international markets.
The event follows productive engagements held on the sidelines of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), where Uganda’s delegation laid the groundwork for expanded agricultural trade with China. The Embassy in Beijing has been instrumental in following up on those discussions, ensuring that Ugandan coffee finds a lasting and impactful presence in the world’s largest consumer market.
The arrival of Ugandan coffee in Henan is not only symbolic of Uganda’s growing visibility in Asia’s trade landscape but also a tangible result of deliberate diplomatic and trade promotion efforts.
The Embassy’s active role in market development reflects the Ugandan government’s strategic vision to position coffee—one of the country’s top exports—as a key driver of economic growth and transformation.
Looking ahead, the Embassy’s team in Beijing is preparing to lead a high-level delegation of prospective Chinese coffee buyers on a Coffee Tour of Uganda from May 12th to 17th, 2025.
This delegation comprises companies that already purchase Ugandan coffee and are eager to deepen their engagement by experiencing the country’s coffee value chain firsthand.
The tour will showcase Uganda’s journey from farm to cup, highlighting not just the product quality but the sustainable and community-centered practices that define Uganda’s coffee industry.
This visit aligns directly with Uganda’s broader mission: to introduce and entrench its coffee in the Chinese market as production scales to meet rising demand.
Thanks to government-led initiatives and private sector participation, Uganda’s annual coffee production is steadily increasing. However, to meet the full potential of the Chinese market—one of the fastest-growing globally—Uganda still needs to triple its output.
This challenge is also an opportunity: a call to action for all stakeholders in the value chain to innovate, invest, and collaborate toward a shared goal of agricultural transformation and export-led growth.
The landing of Ugandan coffee in Henan stands as a proud moment for Uganda, a sign of promise for its farmers, and a powerful testament to the results of focused diplomacy, private sector engagement, and a shared vision for prosperity.
