Oyam, Uganda – Coffee farmers in Acaba Sub-County, Oyam District, are expressing frustration over the current low prices for their crops, with many opting to store their harvest in hopes of higher profits in the future.
This year, middlemen are buying coffee at 6,000 Ugandan shillings per kilogram, a significant drop from the 7,000 Ugandan shillings per kilogram they received last year.
Okello George, the Chairperson of Acaba Coffee Growers, has voiced the displeasure of the farmers.
“Last year, we sold our coffee at 7,000 shillings per kilogram, but this year, the price has dropped to just 6,000 shillings. This is not profitable for us,” he said.
The price difference has led many farmers to hold onto their coffee beans, hoping for a better market opportunity.
Despite the challenges, the District Production Department of Oyam had previously assured coffee growers that they would help find a more profitable market for their coffee. However, farmers now feel that middlemen are taking advantage of the situation, offering lower prices than expected.
In response, Mr. Albino Cox Ogwal, the District Production Officer of Oyam, urged farmers to avoid dealing with middlemen, assuring them that the district is committed to finding better markets for their coffee.
“We advise farmers to stay away from middlemen. The production department is actively working on securing a good market for their coffee,” Mr. Ogwal stated.
Over 100 coffee growers have been registered in Acaba Sub-County since 2020 and they have remained dedicated to cultivating coffee despite the ongoing price fluctuations.
As they await more favorable prices, the future of coffee farming in Oyam remains uncertain, but farmers are hopeful that efforts to secure better market opportunities will bear fruit.
