Skip to main content

Part E. Case Studies

First mile resilience for a coffee supply chain from Uganda to Europe​

This case study will be completed mid 2026. Several examples were incorporated in the Life-Links Framework steps.

Step 0. Preparation​

The supply chain of arabica coffee from Uganda to Europe was selected as a first Life-Links application project (along with avocados from Kenya to Europe).

Uganda is a coffee powerhouse it is the world’s fifth-largest coffee producer and Africa’s largest, accounting for roughly 4% of global output. While best known for Robusta coffee, Arabica contributes more than 20% of the total coffee export value. Europe alone absorbs 60% of Uganda’s coffee exports.

The first mile was selected as the critical link because losses in both quality and value/price is higher compared to other segments of the supply chain, and losses are felt especially by farmers. Coffee exporters, traders and roasters are also affected because there is a growing demand and dwindling supply of coffee, which consumers already notice through higher prices for coffee in supermarkets and cafe's.

Step 1. Supply Chain Assessment​

A survey of 420 Uganda farmers was carried out by advisory and research firm sùúrù to quantify first-mile challenges.149 Key finding are:

Vulnerabulities or logistics challenges:

  • Transport: Weak rural road infrastructure causes longer transit times and processing delays, while poor transport conditions further compromise quality. Challenges in transport can also incentivize bulk harvesting rather than the staggered picking of mature fruit.
  • Processing: Delays in pulping, due to lack of equipment, along with drying on bare ground or tarpaulins, and weather-related drying delays or shocks, can significantly reduce quality.
  • Storage: In-house storage exposes coffee to humidity reabsorption, pests, spillage, & theft risks.

**Losses are ~USD67 million per year, with around two-thirds impacting farming households directly.

  • USD 41 million: 14% of coffee volume lost in first mile
  • USD 26 million: missed value comes from coffee that is not fully processed and has reduced quality, which is then sold at a discount

Climate hazards exacerbate existing first-mile challenges

  • Heavy rainfall can quickly make rural roads impassable, delays in processing, and slow drying of the coffee
  • Extreme heat or rising peak temperatures can cause cracking and quality deterioration.
  • Shifting and variable weather conditions leaves coffee more exposed when there is inadequate storage infrastructure.

Step 2. Selection of Action Measures​

Step 2.1 Identify and pre-select action measures that build resilience

Action measures investigated all relate to operations149:

DRYING at the farm

  • Drying table with canopy: simple raised drying structure that includes a wooden frame, mesh or hessian drying surface, and a removable canopy made from local materials
  • Collapsible dryer: Collapsible frame with inflatable walls, transparent UV resistant plastic cover, and drying rack surface.
  • Solar dryer: covered drying that includes a timber or metal frame, UV stabilised plastic sheeting or polycarbonate roofing, raised mesh drying beds, and adjustable ventilation panels

PULPING AND WASHING at the farm

  • Mechanical pulper: engine-driven machine that includes a hopper, rotating disc or drum with a breast plate, and a chute or channel
  • Manual pulper + micro station: small scale wet processing unit that includes pulper, fermentation tank, washing/grading channel, raised drying tables, basic water supply with drainage
  • Station with concrete channels: medium-scale wet processing facility that includes fermentation tanks, concrete washing & grading channels, raised drying tables, water storage, and wastewater treatment

STORAGE

  • Community store: A shared storage facility that includes a concrete floor, brick or block walls with ventilation, lockable doors, metal roofing, wooden
  • PICS bags: Hermetic triple-layer storage bags that includes two inner high-density polyethylene liners and an outer woven polypropylene sack, typically holding 50-100kg

Step 2.2 Assess feasibility and effectiveness for resilience

The feasibility analysis found that the 3 drying and 2 storage action measures are most feasible. These are the primary drivers of losses, and solutions are easy to implement and maintain. There is a business case for introducing more washed coffee, however this may be a better fit for a commercial aggregator. Small washing stations could have farmer impact if grant-funded.

The costs and benefits for the package of action measures are summarized as follows:149

  • With a total investment of ~$17 million, an annual additional value of ~$8.3 million can be captured, resulting in a 2 years break even term.
  • The potential income increase for farming households is ~2-4% for storage interventions, and for drying interventions ranges from ~1-5%.
  • 245,000 farmers could benefit from improved drying facilities, 160,000 farmers could benefit from improved storage, with potential overlap between farming communities that could benefit from both.
  • This investment addresses 12% of the total missed value opportunity. Once successful, additional scaling could be considered.
  • No replacement investments have been considered at the end of the economic life of the assets. Drying and storage assets could also have value for other crops outside the coffee season, this value has also not been considered.

Step 3. Implementation Plan with Partners​

During 2026, we will work with partners on how to implement the proposed package of 5 feasible action measures for drying and storage. This will likely start with a pilot phase, and subsequently scale efforts based on results.

Life-Links success is defined by three criteria:

  • Multi-stakeholder collaboration involving at least 1 private sector supply chain actor. We aim to build on existing trader-led initiatives who focus on farm (but not yet first mile) to establish 1–2 partnerships with traders and their roasters
  • Shared resilience & safeguard unintended risks. The resilience is manifested through avoided losses of coffee volume and quality.
  • Stakeholder benefits reach supply chain actors and the local community. The package of action measures will reduce first mile losses (and price), benefiting all actors and especially farmers. The measures will amplify the benefits envisioned by trader-led initiatives, namely productivity, income diversification and youth empowerment.