Uganda exported 2.7 million 60 kg-bags of coffee in 2007, up 24 percent from 2.4 million bags over 2006, the country's coffee board said. In figures it sent out on Sunday, the Uganda Coffee Development Authority also said some 2.2 million of the bags were of the robusta type, and the remaining 500,000 arabica.
"(A total) 272,519 bags worth $29.5 million were shipped to various destinations in December 2007, up from 248,709 bags ($21.6 million) recorded in a similar month last year," the board added.
It did not give a reason for the uptick in exports but has previously said strong global prices and success in stamping out coffee wilt disease were responsible for the higher volumes. Uganda has become a key producer of top quality robusta beans after a crisis in the former Ivory Coast halved production there.