The number you need is not always the number you can get at the price you want. Minimum order quantity, lead time and contract type are linked. A buyer who understands the links can plan a better first order and a more stable second one.
MOQ is a function of grade, crop and routing
There is no single minimum for all Ugandan coffee. The minimum depends on the grade, the available lot, the packaging, whether you ship a full container or a smaller consignment, and the destination.
CabLinks confirms the minimum for each grade and crop in the offer. If you need a smaller trial lot, ask. It may be possible with a sample or a consolidated shipment, but it is not guaranteed.
Typical container loads
| Container | Typical green coffee load | Bags at 60kg |
|---|---|---|
| 20ft | About 19.2 tonnes | About 320 bags |
| 40ft | About 27.6 tonnes | About 460 bags |
These are typical industry figures, not a quote. Palletisation, packaging and weight limits can change the load. Confirm the exact load with your exporter and forwarder.
Lead time is a window, not a date
Lead time starts before the vessel. It includes harvest, processing, grading, cupping, packing, document issuance, inland transport and the shipping schedule. The route to Mombasa or Dar es Salaam and the destination port add more variability.
Ask for a shipment window with a buffer. A realistic window is more useful than an optimistic single date, especially for a first order.
Seasonal contracts
Uganda has a main crop and a fly crop. Arabica and Robusta timings differ, and they vary by region and season. A seasonal contract can secure volume and quality, but it also carries price and performance risk.
Before you sign, agree the crop year, grade, volume, quality specification, shipment window, price basis, payment terms, Incoterm, documents and what happens if the crop falls short.
What to confirm before you commit
- The grade and screen, not just “Ugandan coffee”.
- The crop year and the shipment window.
- The volume per shipment and the total contract volume.
- Packaging and marks.
- FOB or CIF, and who pays which costs.
- Payment terms and security.
- Sample approval and the quality remedy.
- The document pack for your destination.
A simple first-order plan
- Start with a sample. Approve the cup, the screen and the moisture before you discuss a container.
- Agree a trial volume. Ask what is possible for your grade and destination, and confirm the shipment window in writing.
- Plan the second order before the first arrives. If the trial works, secure the next lot while the crop is available.
Where CabLinks fits
CabLinks supplies Arabica and Robusta from seven Ugandan regions, packs in 60kg jute bags or to buyer specification, and quotes FOB and CIF. We confirm the minimum and lead time for each grade and crop in the offer, and we supply samples before shipment.
Next step: Request current offers and lead times, or explore our origin page.
Related reading: how to import coffee from Uganda and how a shipment moves from Kampala to your roastery.