Exporting coffee from East Africa — covering Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Congo, Burundi — comes with unique logistical challenges. From remote farm access to port congestion and regulatory delays, knowing the hurdles and mitigation strategies is key. Here’s a deep dive into supply chain obstacles and best practices.

1. Geography & Farm Accessibility

Many coffee farms are situated in hilly, remote locations with limited road infrastructure. Transporting beans from farm to warehouse or port often requires multiple modes (motorbike, truck, off-road vehicles), increasing risk of damage, delays, or moisture ingress.

Mitigation tips:

  • Use intermediate collection centers near farms.
  • Invest in good road contracts, rugged vehicles, and contingency plans.
  • Schedule transport during drier seasons when roads are passable.

2. Storage & Handling in Humid Climates

East Africa’s climate can be humid, leading to moisture gain in green beans. Poorly ventilated warehouses or delays exacerbate the issue.

Solutions:

  • Use humidity-controlled or naturally ventilated warehouses.
  • Use moisture-proof liners, desiccants, or breathable packaging.
  • Monitor humidity & temperature regularly.

3. Port Congestion & Infrastructure

Major ports (e.g. Mombasa, Dar es Salaam) often face congestion, equipment shortages, or delays in customs clearance. Delays in port can lead to penalties or container demurrage.

Mitigation:

  • Pre-book slots, use experienced freight forwarders.
  • Opt for off-peak shipping schedules.
  • Use alternative ports when feasible.
  • Work with brokers who understand regional port bottlenecks.

4. Multi-modal Transport & Transshipment

Sometimes shipments need land, rail, and sea transport. Each handover point raises the possibility of delay, damage, or misrouting.

Best practices:

  • Use experienced logistics partners with integrated tracking.
  • Ensure robust documentation and container seals.
  • Use bonded warehouses for buffer storage.

5. Customs & Border Delays

Crossing borders (e.g. from landlocked countries) can cause hold-ups due to inspections, corrupt practices, or inefficient procedures.

Mitigation:

  • Work with customs agents familiar with coffee trade.
  • Ensure all documentation is pristine and ready ahead of time.
  • Use trusted corridors and ensure bribes or delays are minimized via compliance.

6. Cold Chain & Environmental Conditions

Though green coffee doesn’t need refrigeration, it must avoid extreme heat, humidity, and pest exposure.

  • Avoid stacking containers under direct sun.
  • Use containers with insulation or temperature control in extreme climates.
  • Monitor transit humidity with data loggers.

7. Cost Volatility & Fuel / Freight Increases

In 2025, global supply chain costs have surged and freight rates are under pressure. This squeezes margins.

  • Negotiate long-term contracts with carriers.
  • Factor fuel surcharges into pricing.
  • Collaborate with brokers to group shipments or consolidate.

8. Risk Management & Contingency Planning

Unexpected events like strikes, port closures, or road blockages can disrupt shipments. Always have backup routes or buffer time.

Conclusion

Logistics in East African coffee export is complex — but manageable with good planning, local partnerships, quality oversight, and risk mitigation strategies. Brokers like Wakanda Coffee Brokers bring regional expertise, logistics networks, and operational support to navigate these challenges seamlessly.

Need help structuring your logistics, selecting ports, or managing transit risk? Let’s talk and build a resilient supply chain for your coffee business.