Coffee on the edge: Uganda's farmers battle thieves as prices soar

Let me ask you a question.

How would you feel if one morning you woke up and your favourite coffee jar was empty when you filled it to the brim the night before?

Feels bad right..?

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Well in Uganda, this is happening on the coffee farms. Farmers are tackling a challenge: coffee theft.

But why?

In the lush landscapes of Uganda, coffee farmers are facing an unprecedented challenge and that is theft. As global coffee prices soar, so does the risk for those who grow this vital crop.

Coffee theft in Uganda has reached alarming levels this year. According to two major farming associations, the thefts have hit unprecedented levels.

And the root cause is soaring coffee prices.

Global prices for robusta coffee, a variety favoured for instant drinks, have hit their highest levels since the 1970s.

This price spike has driven up farm-gate prices in Uganda, where unshelled robusta beans known locally as kiboko, have surged by up to 65 per cent, this year reaching a record 7,000 shillings or $1.89 per kilogram.

The rising coffee prices have made farms highly attractive targets for thieves. This surge in theft has created significant insecurity among farmers.

While exact statistics on coffee theft are scarce, farming associations report a sharp increase compared to previous years. The police and government have yet to publish comprehensive data. But the trend is very clear.

Food and beverage theft is becoming a global issue. Last year, over 20 per cent of all stolen products worldwide were food and drink items, up from 17 per cent in 2022.

In response, Ugandan farmers are turning to innovative security measures. Some are employing night guards, installing fencing, and even using bees to deter thieves. The buzzing hives are meant to scare off would-be robbers, adding a layer of protection.

The impact of theft extends beyond immediate loss. Thieves often strip beans from trees which damages the branches and reduces future productivity.

Additionally, quality suffers when unripe cherries are stolen which affects both farm income and the market. The government aims to boost coffee production to 20 million bags by 2030, up from less than 7 million now.

However, theft could undermine these efforts and deter farmers from investing in their crops.

As the global coffee market grapples with high prices and rising thefts, the resilience of Uganda's coffee farmers is put to the test.

Their struggle highlights a broader issue in the global food supply chain, where rising costs are driving crime and impacting livelihoods.