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WCR is about to launch the Robusta breeding program, and trials have been conducted to plant Robusta varieties in Uganda.

Published: 2026-01-17 Author:

Last Updated: 2026/01/17, Over the past few decades, Robusta has grown into a major market force for coffee, rising from 25% to 40% of global coffee production since the early 1990s. Judging from the current situation, the demand for Robusta will increase in the future. However, Robusta's planting also

Over the past few decades, Robusta has grown into a major market force for coffee, rising from 25% to 40% of global coffee production since the early 1990s. Judging from the current situation, the demand for Robusta will increase in the future. However, Robusta's planting will also encounter a lot of difficulties, but there is still a lot of potential.

As a result, WCR predicts that global planting of Robusta will not be able to keep up with the growing demand by 2024. Although Robusta is stronger than Arabica in some ways, it is also affected by climate change or disease and pests. In many Robusta producing countries, there is little breeding or improved planting to deal with. So WCR began to explore opportunities to strengthen research and breeding to enhance global Robusta production.

According to WCR, if coffee consumption rises, coupled with the impact of the climate crisis, there could be a serious shortage in the world in 2024. Robusta's production is increasingly concentrated in six major producing countries, which account for 95% of global Robusta production by volume. But it is vulnerable to climate change, resulting in reduced production and market shortages.

WCR has previously obtained a large number of Robusta genetic materials provided by the Center for International Cooperation and Agricultural Development Research (CIRAD). And then analyze and study these materials, and finally will be used in the upcoming Robusta breeding program. The program will work with key countries to participate in the global Robusta breeding network. Partners will be able to use materials for further acrobatics or breeding and try to commercialize them.

Earlier, WCR has launched the Robusta planting and breeding project in Uganda, which aims to improve Uganda's ability to supply and improve Robusta varieties. And provide Uganda with Robusta (KR) 1-10 coffee tree species. These tree species have resistance to coffee wilt (CWD) and leaf rust and can increase farmers' incomes. The goal of the project is to transfer 100000 healthy Robusta (KR) trees to farmers while increasing nursery operation, planting and disease resistance knowledge to ensure future supply.

In cooperation with the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA), all UCDA promotion officials across Uganda will be trained in the grafting of Robusta. At present, nearly 50, 000 Robusta (KR) plants and related information on variety management have been provided to farmers.