Barnabas Taremwa: Global Cartels Behind Uganda’s Coffee Losses

Fellow Ugandans, especially our coffee farmers and those aspiring to join the coffee industry,

I feel compelled to share some truths and clarify the situation regarding coffee farming in Uganda and the dynamics of the global coffee market.

This is a complex subject. I’ve spent over 30 years in the coffee industry—both locally and internationally—and my experience has taught me a lot about the realities we face.

Let me begin at home.

There is a popular belief in Uganda that there is a lot of money in coffee farming. In Buganda, there’s a well-known saying: “Emwanyi telimba”—meaning “coffee doesn’t lie or disappoint.”

But while this saying is catchy, it can also be misleading. In fact, it’s a form of accepted ignorance.

Why? Because coffee is one of those crops where we, the producers, have no control over the pricing.

Imagine spending Shs 2000 to produce one kilogram of coffee, but the market only offers Shs 1000. How does a farmer survive under such losses? Yet, even in these moments of loss, you will hear leaders still repeating: “Emwanyi telimba.”

Not long ago, during a period when coffee prices had improved, my close friend Ben Kavuya asked me:

“My brother, why haven’t you encouraged us to join coffee farming? People are minting money, and you’re silent!”

I told him the truth: Yes, there is money in coffee farming—but more often than not, the cost of production eats up the small profit margins.

The farmer has no control over their product. Coffee prices are set by powerful cartels headquartered in cities like London, Geneva, Milan, and Hamburg. These companies create narratives that shape global coffee prices.

One month it’s “overproduction in Brazil.” The next, it’s “excess supply from Vietnam or India.” These reasons are usually exaggerated or completely false.

The global coffee cartel is ruthless. They don’t care if producing countries earn nothing.

When prices drop, they return to their boardrooms to draft new stories that encourage farmers to keep producing—because we have land, cheap labor, favorable weather, and government officials who unknowingly repeat their propaganda.

Today, we’re being told prices have fallen due to oversupply from Brazil and Vietnam. Yet, market research shows otherwise:

The instant coffee market is projected to grow by USD 16.3 billion between 2024–2029, at a CAGR of 6.9%.

The coffee pods and capsules market is expected to reach USD 39.85 billion by 2030, growing at 7.93% CAGR.

So, who are these cartels controlling the coffee trade?

Here are some of the major players:

1. Nestlé S.A.

2. Keurig Dr Pepper Inc.

3. Starbucks Corporation

4. Anthony’s Goods

5. Bevzilla

6. Death Wish Coffee

7. Giraldo Farms

8. illycaffè S.P.A.

9. ITC Ltd.

10. Luigi Lavazza S.p.A.

11. Lens Coffee LLC

12. Louis Dreyfus Company B.V.

13. Massimo Zanetti Beverage Group

14. The Good Life Company

15. The J.M. Smucker Company

16. UCC Ueshima Coffee Co., Ltd.

17. Unilever PLC

In total, the number of companies with cartel-like influence is around 25, give or take.

They use two main tactics to control prices:

Hoarding – They have the storage capacity to hold coffee stock for over two years.

Policy influence – They control governments and international agencies, pushing narratives that undermine farmer earnings while protecting their own profits.

So what can we, as producers, do?

Since we are not the major consumers of coffee, our only available path is to maximize production. But production can only be sustained if the government steps in with serious support, such as:

Fertilizers and pesticides

Irrigation systems

Post-harvest handling and storage facilities

These subsidies are essential to help farmers weather the manipulation of global cartels. If farmers are left to fend for themselves, many will give up and turn to cheaper, less risky ventures.

I respectfully urge our government officials:

Stop repeating the narratives of foreign cartels. Focus instead on protecting your citizens by supporting and stabilizing the coffee sector.

Finally, let’s not forget: coffee has enormous health benefits. That’s why it is widely consumed in advanced societies. Yet here at home, while others are drinking coffee, we are busy consuming Uganda Waragi.

The government should initiate a national program to promote coffee consumption—starting from kindergarten through to university—so that we can begin to appreciate, consume, and benefit from what we grow.

Coffee is a miracle plant. Its value is far greater than most of us realize.

Let’s not waste it.