Africa’s coffee sector posted a historic performance in the 2024/25 season, with the continent’s exports reaching an unprecedented 1.18 million tons, according to new data from the International Coffee Organization (ICO). The volume, equivalent to 19.69 million bags, represents an 18.6% increase compared to the previous season and marks the first time Africa has crossed the one-million-ton export milestone.
The surge was driven primarily by strong performances from Ethiopia and Uganda, which together contributed nearly 80% of the continent’s total shipments. Ethiopia exported approximately 442,200 tons of coffee, while Uganda led the region with about 495,600 tons. This rise in exports was supported by robust harvests in key producing countries, favorable international prices, and the release of unusually large domestic inventories, which boosted supply to global markets. Africa’s total coffee output for the period reached around 22.78 million bags.
At the global level, the market presented a contrasting trend. Despite Africa’s impressive growth, worldwide coffee shipments fell by 0.3% to 139.01 million bags, largely due to declines in South American supply. Meanwhile, Arabica coffee prices soared, closing at roughly US $8.26 per kilogram at the end of September 2025, a sharp increase from US $5.48/kg the previous year.
Although Africa currently accounts for only 11.6% of global coffee exports, producing nations are aiming for a more influential role. During the 3rd African Coffee G25 Summit, member countries committed to increasing the continent’s share of global coffee output to 20% by 2030, signaling an ambition to strengthen Africa’s position in the international coffee industry.
