Uganda Races to Meet EU Coffee Export Certification Deadline

Uganda’s coffee exports to the European Union (EU) are expected to remain unaffected by the looming December 2024 deadline of the EU Deforestation-free Regulation (EUDR), according to Hon. Henry Musasizi, the Minister of State for Finance, Planning and Economic Development (General Duties). The minister reassured that Uganda is well-prepared to meet the regulatory requirements.
The EUDR, approved by the EU on 5 December 2022, sets stringent guidelines for the importation of agricultural commodities such as coffee and cocoa. Under the regulation, products must come from land that has not been deforested after 31 December 2020. This policy aims to ensure that commodities entering the EU market are sourced sustainably.
Speaking before the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture on 8 October 2024, Musasizi confirmed that the Ministry of Finance will release Shs13.9 billion by 20 October 2024 to the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA). These funds are intended to support the certification of Uganda’s coffee products, ensuring compliance with the deforestation-free requirement before the December deadline.
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This update comes amidst a petition submitted to Parliament by SEATINI-Uganda, a non-governmental organization, raising concerns about Uganda’s preparedness to implement the EUDR. The organization questioned whether Uganda had taken sufficient steps to align its coffee export processes with the new EU regulations. However, Musasizi assured the committee that the necessary preparations were underway. “The funds will be released at once so that certification can proceed smoothly. We are taking all the steps needed to comply with the regulation before the December deadline,” he emphasized.
Musasizi, accompanied by other ministry officials, highlighted that, at the start of the 2024/2025 financial year, the UCDA initiated engagements with the agri-business development initiative. This effort was backed by Shs16 billion, earmarked for establishing the EUDR Coordination Unit, which will oversee compliance activities. The private sector has been provided with these funds, and Café Africa has been tasked with conducting partial awareness campaigns and registering approximately 900,000 coffee farming households across Uganda.
The minister’s statement addressed concerns raised by several members of Parliament, who stressed the urgency of meeting the EU’s requirements. Lawmakers highlighted the potential risks Uganda faces if the country fails to comply by the December deadline, given the significant role coffee exports play in the nation’s economy.
Uganda earns an estimated US$500 million annually from coffee exports to the EU, a figure that underscores the importance of ensuring the country’s coffee supply chain adheres to the new standards.
Deputy Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture, Hon. Hope Nakazibwe, urged the minister to expedite the release of the funds to the UCDA, warning that time was running short. “We have less than three months remaining. It’s essential that the funds are released promptly so that the necessary measures can be implemented,” Nakazibwe stressed.
Further concerns were voiced by Hon. Robert Migadde, the Buvuma Islands County representative, who expressed disappointment that the UCDA had not already started the implementation process. “Coffee is our number one export commodity, and considering we are targeting December, we are still lagging behind,” Migadde remarked.
Hon. Nyongore Enock, who represents Nakaseke North County, also weighed in on the issue, cautioning that the EU’s position on deforestation could potentially influence other export markets. He emphasized the importance of government taking the implementation of the EUDR seriously, as non-compliance could have broader economic implications.
The EUDR imposes strict documentation requirements on exporters. Businesses must provide detailed reports on land use, proof of compliance with local production laws, and supply chain due diligence statements. Failure to meet these conditions would jeopardize Uganda’s access to the lucrative EU coffee market, placing a significant portion of the country’s export revenue at risk.
Key Coffee Export Facts
Details
Annual Earnings from Coffee Exports to EU
US$500 million
Certification Fund for UCDA
Shs13.9 billion
Number of Coffee Farming Households to be Registered
900,000
Funding for EUDR Coordination Unit
Shs16 billion