The Definitive Importer's Guide to Uganda Robusta Coffee Grades (Screen 18, 15, & 12)
- Christine Simon
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Whether you're an established green coffee importer or exploring Uganda as a strategic new origin, you need absolute clarity on Robusta coffee grades. On supplier offers, terms like Screen 18, Screen 15, or Screen 12 are more than just labels, they are the foundation of your product consistency, blend stability, and profit margins.
This guide provides the essential, practical breakdown for international buyers, ensuring you select the precise Ugandan Robusta grade that aligns with your market needs, from premium espresso blends to high-volume industrial and soluble production.
The Strategic Importance of Uganda Robusta Coffee Grades
In the commercial coffee trade, predictability is your most valuable asset. The Uganda Robusta grading system, primarily based on screen size and cleanliness, directly influences your operational efficiency and final product quality:
Roasting Consistency: Uniform bean size (e.g., Screen 18) ensures a more even, predictable roast.
Contract Accuracy: Clear grade specifications minimize quality disputes between buyer and exporter.
Defect Management: The grade determines the acceptable tolerance for defects, which is a critical factor in final landed cost and pricing.
Blend Stability: For high-volume buyers, selecting the right grade is key to maintaining a consistent flavour profile year-round.
Uganda's Official Robusta Grading System: Screen Sizes & BHP
Ugandan Robusta is sorted using sieves, which determines the screen size. The size corresponds to the diameter of the coffee bean in 64ths of an inch. The primary exportable categories for green coffee beans are:
Ugandan Robusta is sorted using sieves, which determines the screen size. The size corresponds to the diameter of the coffee bean in 64ths of an inch. The primary exportable categories for green coffee beans are:
Grade | Screen Size (Sieve Diameter) | Bean Size | Target Buyer Segment |
Screen 18 | $\ge 18/64"$ (7.1 mm) | Large, Premium | Premium Roasters, Espresso Blends |
Screen 15 | $\ge 15/64"$ (6.0 mm) | Medium, Workhorse | High-Volume Roasters, Blend Producers |
Screen 12 | $\ge 12/64"$ (4.8 mm) | Mixed, Commercial | Industrial Buyers, Soluble/Instant Coffee |
BHP Grades for Industrial Import
The Broken Hand-Picked (BHP) grades are the backbone of high-volume industrial and soluble coffee manufacturing, particularly for major Indian importers who re-export across the world.
BHP Commercial Levels: BHP 1899, 1599, 1299, and the most common, BHP 1199.
Cost-Efficiency Focus: BHP 1199 offers the lowest cost per metric ton by relaxing the size uniformity requirement (Screen 11, mixed sizes).
Appearance vs. Quality: It typically contains a higher percentage of broken beans or fragments. However, the Hand-Picked process is critical: it ensures the removal of Foreign Matter (stones, sticks) to minimal levels, protecting expensive industrial machinery.
Detailed Grade Profiles for Importers
🥇 Screen 18 (Premium Import Grade)
Category | Characteristic | Importer Value |
Uniformity | Large, highly uniform beans (>92% retention on Screen 18). | Maximum control over roast profile. |
Defects | Lowest defect count among commercial Robusta grades. | Minimises quality risk and processing loss. |
Best For | Craft-focused roasters, high-end Robusta blends, and espresso programs. |
🥈 Screen 15 (Mainstream Commercial Workhorse)
Category | Characteristic | Importer Value |
Uniformity | Good, dependable bean uniformity (>90% retention on Screen 15). | Balanced performance across different roasting machines. |
Value | Strongest quality-to-price ratio. | Uganda's most consistently available, dependable grade. |
Best For | Blend producers, instant coffee factories, and roasters requiring dependable output year-round. |
🥉 Screen 12 (Industrial Bulk Grade)
Category | Characteristic | Importer Value |
Uniformity | Mixed bean sizes >85% retention on Screen 12). | Less predictable roasting, requires blend compensation. |
Defects | Higher total defect tolerance (15%). | Lowest cost basis for large bulk procurement. |
Best For | Industrial buyers and soluble coffee manufacturers prioritising volume and cost. |
Quality Control Benchmarks: Defect Tolerance for Import
To protect your contract and ensure predictability, Uganda coffee exporters must adhere to the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) tolerance for defects.
Uganda Robusta Grade | Max. Total Defective Beans (by Mass) | Max. Extraneous Matter (Foreign Matter) | Importer QC Risk Profile |
Screen 18 | 7% | >0.1% | Lowest Defect Risk, Highest Roasting Uniformity. |
Screen 15 | 12% | >0.1% | Standard Commercial Grade, Good Quality/Volume Balance. |
Screen 12 | 15% | >0.1% | Price-Focused Volume Grade. |
BHP 1199 | Sound bean tolerance up to 10% | Max 2.0% (Stones & metals must be absent) | Industrial Bulk Focus: Cleanliness against machine damage is key. |
Crucial Note for QC (Quality Control): The UNBS standard sets the Primary Defects tolerance limit (e.g., Full Black, Full Sour) at up to >1% per defect. High levels of primary defects are the most common cause for shipment rejection, regardless of the overall mass percentage.
Uganda’s Robusta Export Capacity & Supply Reliability
Grade | Estimated Weekly Production | Importer Takeaway |
Screen 18 | approx Half FCL every 3 weeks | Requires long-term contracting; high-demand grade. |
Screen 15 | 5–10 FCL per week | The most liquid and stable volume grade. |
Screen 12 | 2–3 FCL per week | Dependable source for consistent bulk orders. |
FCL: Full Container Load (typically 19.2 MT / 320 bags) |
This sustained capacity makes Uganda one of the most dependable origins for roasters that need continuous replenishment.
What a Proper Commercial Specification Sheet Must Include
Your supplier should provide a full specification sheet to minimise contractual disputes. This is your checklist:
Grade & Screen Size (e.g., Screen 15 (>90% retention)
Moisture Content (Target: 8.0%–12.0%)
Defect Count (Primary & Secondary defects per 300g sample)
Extraneous Matter Tolerance (must meet UNBS standard)
Processing Method (sun-dried / natural)
Origin District
Certifications (if required: RFA, Fair Trade, etc.)
Exporter’s Quality Guarantee
Any exporter unable to provide full transparency should be treated cautiously.
Commercial & Logistical Considerations for Ugandan Robusta
When preparing your import contract, consider these additional commercial factors:
Pricing Basis: Contracts are always denominated in $ USD and typically quoted FOT (Free on Truck Kampala), or FOB (Free on Board) Mombasa, Kenya - a major East African port. Factor in the longer transit time due to Uganda's landlocked position.
Payment Terms: New importers should expect to work with an Irrevocable Letter of Credit (L/C) until a consistent trading relationship is established.
Sustainability & Certification: Certified lots and traceable supplies are available upon request and often command a slight premium, meeting the compliance needs of many global markets.
Import Ugandan Coffee with Confidence
Choosing the right grade of Uganda Robusta Green Coffee isn't complicated, but it demands absolute clarity on the commercial specification. By understanding Screen 18, 15, 12, and the industrial role of BHP, along with the official defect tolerances, you can evaluate offers confidently, negotiate accurate pricing, and secure shipments your clients can depend on.
Ready to simplify your sourcing and scale your business?
Contact us today to request a full specification sheet and current offer for your preferred grade of Uganda Robusta green coffee beans.
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