Climate-smart Coffee Uganda

Uganda is the eighth-largest coffee producer in the world and the second-largest in Africa. Around 2 million smallholder farmers grow coffee in Uganda. It is one of the country's most important export products, with strong demand from European buyers and a growing reputation for quality.

The sector is at a turning point. New European Union (EU) regulations, including the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), are raising the bar for traceability and sustainable production. For many Ugandan producers, meeting these requirements is both a real challenge and an opportunity. Access to premium markets improves for companies that can demonstrate where their coffee comes from and how it was grown, thereby helping build lasting relationships with European buyers. Climate-smart farming practices, better traceability, and stronger supply chain coordination are not just compliance issues. They are the foundation of a more competitive and resilient sector.

CBI works with Ugandan small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to export traceable, climate-smart coffee to Europe. We match exporters with farmers to work more closely, improve on-the-ground practices, and comply with new European regulations. We also work with young people, financial institutions, and sector organisations to build a stronger coffee sector for the future.

Are you a European or Dutch importer or roaster interested in sourcing traceable, climate-smart Ugandan coffee? We would love to hear from you.

Project purpose

Uganda's coffee sector has significant potential for value creation, but several structural challenges limit its ability to fully benefit from growing demand for sustainable coffee. The country's 10 largest exporting companies account for around 90% of coffee exports, while many farmers sell to intermediaries at low prices and have limited resources to invest in their farms. Coffee trees age, yields remain well below their potential, and many young people see few opportunities in the sector.

Climate change is putting more pressure on the sector. Coffee-growing regions in Uganda have become drier and hotter over the past 3 decades. At the same time, climate-smart practices such as pruning, mulching, agroforestry, and organic fertiliser offer important opportunities to improve productivity, strengthen resilience to climate change, and support the long-term sustainability of Uganda's coffee sector.

Uganda is also uniquely positioned to benefit from the growing demand for sustainable robusta coffee. As the world's largest exporter of robusta coffee in Africa, Uganda offers European buyers access to large volumes of coffee with strong potential for sustainability and traceability. By investing in climate-smart production and stronger farmer-exporter relationships, the sector can strengthen its position in European markets while creating more value for farmers and local businesses.

The EUDR adds urgency. Uganda has one of the highest deforestation rates in the world, with only 10% of its land covered by forest. Under the EUDR, companies that want to sell coffee in Europe must now prove their supply chains are deforestation-free. Those who cannot comply risk losing access to the European market entirely.

CBI's project follows 3 pathways:

• Supporting small and medium-sized exporters to improve their climate-smart practices, train their farmers, and meet EUDR requirements;
• Building a local ecosystem of services for young people, who can earn income by offering services, such as geoplotting, climate-smart advice, or financial literacy to coffee farmers;  
• Strengthening the enabling environment for the sector as a whole, including support for farmer registration systems and working with the Ministry of Agriculture, as well as with Cafe Africa, the sector's main business support organisation.

Become a partner

We are looking for partners who share a commitment to traceable, climate-smart coffee and a fairer deal for farmers. We are specifically interested in:

• European and Dutch importers and roasters who want to source traceable, climate-smart robusta coffee from Uganda, and who are open to building long-term relationships with small and medium-sized exporters.
• Ugandan coffee exporters who are committed to working closely with their farmers on climate-smart practices, and who want to enter or expand in the European market.
• Organisations or investors who can support access to finance for small coffee exporters and farmers.
• Knowledge partners or service providers with expertise in EUDR compliance, traceability, or climate-smart agriculture.

Reach out now

What does a partnership with us look like?  

CBI does not provide funding. We connect and facilitate.

If you are a European importer or roaster, we can connect you to a group of vetted Ugandan exporters who are being coached on traceability, EUDR compliance, and climate-smart production. Being involved early helps you build reliable and transparent supply chains.

To other partners, we can offer collaboration on specific challenges, from farmer registration and geoplotting to youth skills development and institutional strengthening.

There is no fee to become a partner.

Partners

CBI is working with 7 coffee exporters in south-west Uganda that are strengthening their competitiveness in European markets through investments in climate-smart production, traceability, and sustainability.

Together with frontrunner exporters, CBI is developing practical farmer training materials using a social and behavioural change approach. Produced in local languages and accessible formats, the materials focus on climate-smart practices such as:

• Mulching
• Trenching
• Manure application
• Coffee-banana intercropping
• Shade management.  

We plan additional support for responsible business practices and sustainability in the coming phase.

Participating companies include: 

A key innovation within the project is the development of youth-led service models that support climate-smart coffee production. Together with sector partners, financial institutions, and service providers, pilot initiatives are testing ways for young people to provide services such as climate-smart farming advice, farmer registration, and traceability support. These efforts help accelerate the adoption of climate-smart practices while creating meaningful economic opportunities for young women and men in coffee-growing communities.

For European importers and buyers, the project offers opportunities to connect with exporters that are actively investing in sustainability, farmer training, and meeting new market requirements. By strengthening climate resilience and traceability at the point of origin, the project helps build reliable, long-term sourcing relationships.

We are always open to connecting with European importers and buyers seeking reliable, sustainable suppliers. If you are active in the coffee sector and see potential for collaboration, we would love to hear from you.

Collaborate with us

Would you like to help build a more inclusive and climate-smart coffee sector in Uganda? One that offers better incomes to farmers and meets the demands of the European market? Express your interest via the button below.  

For questions or more information, please contact Mylène Vermunt​. ​We would love to hear your ideas and work together to shape this project into a success.

About CBI

CBI promotes sustainable production and trade between low-and middle-income countries and the Netherlands/Europe. We partner with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and their ecosystem to strengthen their social and environmental sustainability.  

CBI is part of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) and commissioned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands.