Uganda washed Arabica Bugisu AA

Afloat (expected arrival: Jul/25/2025)
Quantity Available: 4 bags of 60kg
SKU
103702.1-461
More Information
Unit of Measure bags of 60kg
Status Afloat
Warehouse On Ship
ETA Jul 25, 2025
Crop 24/25
Batch 103702.1
Variety SL 14, SL 24
Region Eastern Uganda, Mt. Elgon
Process Washed
Grade Bugisu AA
Producer Smallholder farmers

Uganda is a fascinating country with many facets. Although it is a landlocked country, Uganda has rich sources of water. In the southwest, the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains are even a spring to the Nile river. Verdant mountain ranges, home to some of the last freely roaming Gorillas, can be found in various parts of the country. While cherished for its scenic views, these lands are also home to 85 % of Uganda‘s population with agriculture as the main source of income. Coffee remains by far the most valued export good and we are happy to introduce you to some of Uganda‘s finest coffees.

Bugisu refers to washed Arabica coffee produced in the Bugisu sub-region of Eastern Uganda, located at the foot of Mount Elgon near the Kenyan border. Most farmers across the country are smallholders, cultivating less than half a hectare of land in mixed farming systems that combine coffee with crops like bananas, avocados, vanilla, and shade trees. Intercropping is widely practiced to improve soil fertility, increase land productivity sustainably, and boost income.

Given the smallholder structure, most of the labor is carried out by the farmers and their families. Ripe red cherries are typically hand-picked, pulped, fermented, washed, and then dried on patios or raised beds. This structure also offers significant potential for producing high-quality specialty lots. This Bugisu is classified as AA, indicating a screen size above 17 and a low tolerance for defects.

Winston Churchill called Uganda the "Pearl of Africa" for its breath-taking natural beauty. Although it is a landlocked country, Uganda has rich sources of water. Verdant mountain ranges, home to some of the last freely roaming Gorillas, can be found in various parts of the country. While cherished for their scenic views, these lands are also home to 85 % of Uganda's population. With agriculture as the main source of income, coffee remains by far the most valued export good. We are happy to introduce you to some of Uganda's finest selections.

Uganda is next to Congo one of the two countries Robusta coffee originates from. Robusta trees grow wild in large parts of the country. Today, Uganda has become the second-largest producer of Robusta coffee in the world. The wide deltas along with Lake Victoria and the slight altitudes favor the growth of strong Robusta trees.

Arabica coffee, on the other hand, roughly makes up 20 % of the country's total production. Close to the Kenyan border, Mount Elgon is located. About 24 million years ago, the liquid flows of lava created this nowadays extinct volcano. With its peak above 3,000 masl and rich volcanic soils, it provides optimal conditions for Arabica cultivation. Arabica coffees from this region are called "Bugisu", pronounced as Bugishu. Blessed by optimal natural conditions, Uganda's Arabica farmers have increasingly started to improve their crops.

The willingness to learn about specialty coffee cultivation is widely spread, accelerating the overall development. Smallholder farmers typically grow their trees intercropped and in shaded environments, automatically applying sustainable practices already. We are looking forward to what to expect next from the coffee country on the rise!

 

CONTINENTAfrica
COFFEE REGIONSEastern & North West (Onkoro)
COFFEE ALTITUDES1,200 - 2,200 masl.
VARIETIES -
HARVEST PERIODAug - Jan
COFFEE FARMSMainly smallholders
AVERAGE FARM SIZE0.5 - 5.5 ha
YEARLY PRODUCTION (IN 60KG BAGS)5,509,000
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