Uganda Showcases Coffee at Specialty Coffee Exhibition in Japan

Uganda is making an impression at the 2024 Specialty Coffee Association of Japan (SCAJ) Conference in Tokyo, showcasing its premium coffee to global markets. The exhibition, which started on Wednesday, October 9, at the Big Sight Exhibition Centre, has provided a platform for Ugandan coffee exporters to connect with buyers and promote the nation’s coffee quality.

Three Ugandan coffee-exporting companies—Just Know Your Coffee Cup (JKCC) General Supplies Ltd., Zigoti Coffee Works Ltd., and Bugisu Cooperative Union—are representing the country at the exhibition. These firms were selected and approved by the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) to participate in this prestigious event. They are being supported by two Japanese companies—Crystal Coffee and Gorilla Highlands Coffee—that regularly import Ugandan coffee into Japan.

Crystal Coffee, which has been a key promoter of Ugandan coffee at various exhibitions across Japan, imports around five tons of Ugandan coffee annually, worth approximately 26.4 million Japanese Yen. The long-standing partnership between Ugandan coffee producers and Japanese importers reflects the growing demand for Uganda’s coffee in Asia.

Uganda's participation in the event was coordinated by the Uganda Mission in Tokyo, which secured the exhibition space to enhance awareness and appreciation for Ugandan coffee in the Japanese market. With increasing global recognition, Uganda is positioning itself as a leading producer of specialty coffee, building stronger trade relations with key international markets like Japan.

The SCAJ Exhibition, one of the largest specialty coffee events in the world, offers a vital opportunity for Uganda to boost its coffee exports and showcase its unique blends to a broader audience.