Kampala, Sept 16 - Uganda said on Wednesday it expected coffee exports to rise 17.6 percent this month to 250,000 60-kg bags compared with 212,846 bags last September.
Uganda is Africa's second largest producer of beans. The east Africa country has exported an annual average of 158,300 tonnes of coffee worth $255.7 million over the last four years.
The Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) forecast in a report that some stocks held by traders would be released to create space for the incoming crop.
In August, Uganda exported 260,275 bags worth $23.58 million, compared with 324,127 bags worth $41.6 million in the same month last year.
From October to August, exports fell 4.7 percent to 2.86 million bags compared with the previous period and their value fell 24.5 percent to $272.5 million, UCDA said.
Robusta exports dipped 26.3 percent in August to 204,026 bags worth $16,437, versus 276,757 bags worth $34,705 in the same month last year. Arabica exports climbed 18.74 percent to 56,249 bags worth $7,139 in August.
"The registered drop in robusta quantities is explained by the extensive flower abortion due to the prolonged dry spell in the robusta growing areas," UCDA said.
"The contrasting rise in arabica quantities is owed to the crop cycle which was supported by availability of sufficient rainfall during bean development, improved agronomic practices including pests and disease management."
The weighted average price for beans remained stable at $1.47 per kg in August. Robusta's weighted average rose slightly to $1.34 per kg in August, up from $1.31 the previous month.