China to Pull Coffee Industry Out of the Red

Emmy Olaki
Kampala

Uganda's coffee exports to China may increase ten-fold by June this year spurred by the opening of coffee shops in Beijing in 2002, Uganda Coffee Development Authority's (UCDA) managing director, Henry Ngabirano, told Business Vision.

The china venture first received 20 tonnes in 2002, but has since grown to 110 tonnes which have been shipped and consumed in China.

"In two years, we have grown from zero to 110 tonnes, and I know 60 more are on their way to China through private entrepreneurs. By June, it may be almost 200 tonnes since we lost four months during the SARS outbreak," Ngabirano said.

Uganda started a joint venture company Beijing Chinao Coffee Company, with the Beijing local government to open roast coffee and coffee shops in the city in 2002.

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