As the Parliament of Uganda moves to consider the National Coffee Bill, Ugandan coffee is on high demand in Italy. Unlike in the past where Indian coffee dominated the market,it is currently facing stiff competition from Uganda in the Italian market, which they have been dominating for the past three decades .
According to Ramesh Rajah, President of the India Coffee Exporters Association, Ugandans are utilising the current COVID-19 situation to dominate the Italian market.
Rajah said that the Ugandan robustas coffee which is very comparable to the Indian variety in terms of quality is currently being priced cheaper by at least $200 per tonne or about 20 per cent hence more , attracting more buyers, a situation which is worrying them.
The Italian economy is facing tough times due to the pandemic, consumers are starting to look for better-value coffee which Uganda is providing at a cheaper price.
The National Coffee Bill seeks to reform the law to provide for the Uganda Coffee Development Authority to regulate, promote and oversee the coffee sub-sector.