Ugandan Coffee Takes Centre Stage at World of Coffee Brussels 2026.

Something historic is happening for African coffee this week. From 25 to 27 June 2026, Brussels Expo will host World of Coffee Brussels 2026, featuring three World Coffee Championships, innovation awards, educational programmes, Uganda as Portrait Country, and extensive networking opportunities across the global coffee value chain.

For Uganda, the timing could not be more meaningful. Uganda has been selected as the official Portrait Country for the 2026 World of Coffee Expo in Brussels, a prestigious recognition that will place the country’s coffee industry at the centre of Europe’s largest specialty coffee trade exhibition. Furthermore, the selection comes at a moment when Uganda’s coffee sector is experiencing some of the most remarkable growth in its history, making the Brussels stage the perfect platform to tell that story to the world.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries is set to present Uganda’s specialty coffee, mainly from the Elgon and Rwenzori regions, to the specialised coffee market in Belgium during a major Coffee Promotion Campaign at Europe’s Premier Specialty Coffee Event in Brussels. Consequently, this is not just a trade promotion exercise. It is a defining moment for Uganda’s positioning as a world-class coffee origin on the global stage.

What Portrait Country Status Means for Uganda

Being named Portrait Country at the World of Coffee is not simply a ceremonial title. It is a strategic platform that gives Uganda enhanced visibility throughout the entire event, dedicated exhibition space, and the opportunity to shape the global narrative around its coffee sector at the continent’s most influential specialty coffee gathering.

Hon. Desire Muhooza, Minister of State for Agriculture, Republic of Uganda, noted: “In a global market rightfully focused on sustainability and transparency, Uganda offers a partnership built on shared history and mutual growth. Being selected as the Portrait Country at World of Coffee in Brussels, the seat of the European Union, is deeply meaningful for us and is the perfect location to officially launch our national coffee brand, Uganda Coffee.”

Moreover, the campaign will be spearheaded by the Ugandan Embassy in the Benelux region and the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, with a focus on promoting Uganda’s premium coffee, attracting new investment and strengthening trade partnerships within the European market.

What Uganda Will Showcase in Brussels

At World of Coffee Brussels, the Uganda Coffee stand will showcase a curated selection of the country’s finest coffees from diverse agro-ecological zones, including the slopes of Mount Elgon, the Rwenzori Mountains, West Nile, and the central Robusta belt

According to Uganda Coffee Development Authority, Visitors to stand number 7504 can therefore expect a rich and immersive experience. Additional coffee marketing activities that will take place during the expo include live cupping sessions and tasting led by Uganda’s award-winning baristas, unique coffee processing and sustainability practices, networking opportunities with Ugandan coffee exporters, cooperatives, and producers, and cultural experiences highlighting Uganda’s rich coffee heritage and the story behind every cup.

Africa’s Number One Coffee Exporter

Uganda’s selection as Portrait Country is backed by an extraordinary export performance that has reshaped the continent’s coffee hierarchy. In the twelve months ending October 2025, the country exported a record 8.4 million 60-kilogramme bags of coffee valued at US$2.4 billion, representing a 47% increase in volume and a 77% increase in value compared to the previous year. These figures firmly establish Uganda as Africa’s top coffee exporter, surpassing Ethiopia.

Furthermore, production is projected to reach over 7.1 million bags, with further growth to approximately 7.2 million bags in the 2026 to 2027 season. This growth is supported by expanding farmland, now covering approximately 595,000 hectares planted, improved agronomic practices, and sustained high coffee prices, which are incentivising continued investment across the sector.

Consequently, Uganda arrives in Brussels not as an emerging producer seeking recognition but as a confident, record-breaking exporter ready to deepen commercial relationships with the world’s largest coffee-consuming region.

A Year of Global Coffee Triumphs

The Brussels showcase builds on an outstanding run of international achievements for Uganda’s coffee sector in 2026. Earlier in 2026, Uganda made an unforgettable mark at the World of Coffee Expo in San Diego, USA, where producers, exporters, and baristas showcased the depth and diversity of Ugandan coffee. Uganda also took centre stage at the African Fine Coffees Association (AFCA) Conference and Expo 2026, where the country won both the overall winner and first runner-up positions in the Africa Barista Competition and was announced as host of AFCA 2027.

Additionally, Uganda used the San Diego platform to emphasise the economic importance of coffee, which supports more than 1.7 million households nationwide. Government efforts to increase production, improve quality standards, and expand value addition were highlighted as central to Uganda’s long-term strategy of strengthening its global coffee brand.

The country has also recently signed a marketing deal with Turkey and climbed to 4th position at the World Barista Championship in Milan, with national champion Ibrahim Kiganda representing the Pearl of Africa. Taken together, these achievements paint the picture of a coffee sector that is firing on all cylinders heading into Brussels.

What This Means for Uganda’s Coffee Farmers

Behind the export figures and international accolades, Uganda’s coffee success story is fundamentally a smallholder farming story. Coffee might account for only 20% of an average farm’s crops, but the money it generates can account for up to 50% of the household’s annual income.

Industry stakeholders believe the Brussels showcase could open new opportunities for Ugandan exporters by connecting them directly with buyers, specialty roasters and investors seeking sustainably produced and traceable coffee. The recognition is also expected to boost Uganda’s broader economic diplomacy agenda by using coffee as a tool for trade promotion, investment attraction and international branding.

Furthermore, the government is actively encouraging investment in roasting and soluble coffee manufacturing, with the goal of capturing more value domestically rather than exporting only green coffee. The World of Coffee Brussels platform is therefore expected to accelerate those conversations with European investors and buyers who are increasingly seeking direct, traceable relationships with origin producers.

How to Attend or Participate

World of Coffee Brussels 2026 takes place 25 to 27 June at Brussels Expo. Registration, workshop bookings, and volunteer applications are open now at europe.worldofcoffee.org. Coffee professionals and industry stakeholders are encouraged to register early to take advantage of the event’s extensive business, networking, and educational opportunities.

Uganda’s full programme runs across all three days of the show. Attendees are invited to visit booth 7504, join live cupping sessions, engage with Ugandan exporters and cooperative representatives, and be part of what promises to be a historic moment for African coffee on the European stage.

Disclaimer

Africa Agricultural Network (AAN) is committed to informing and empowering agricultural communities across Africa as per our mandate. This article is intended for informational purposes only. Readers are advised to verify all event details directly with the Specialty Coffee Association and the Uganda Coffee Development Authority before making any decisions