Uganda says coffee exports dropped 17% in July due to drought

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Uganda's coffee exports dropped 17.7% in July compared to the same month last year, hurt by a prolonged drought that depressed yields across the country, according to a report by the state-run sector regulator.

Africa's largest exporter of the beans shipped a total of 576 468 60-kilo bags last month, compared to 700 035 bags exported in the same month last year, the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) said in a report seen by Reuters on Monday.

The UCDA said the drop in shipments was due "to lower yields this year that were characterised by drought in most regions. This led to a shorter main harvest season."

The east African country was hit by a drought that commenced from around May and stretched to late July, leaving crops in farms across the country blighted. Heavy rains begun lashing the country early this month, bringing some relief to farmers.

Although Uganda export volumes declined in July, earnings were actually up by 20% from a similar period last year, according to the UCDA.

Uganda has earned $876 million from coffee shipments in twelve months to July compared to revenues of $579 million in the same period last year, the UCDA said.

The global coffee market is experiencing the lowest availability of beans since 2008.