Sucafina, a global coffee sourcing company that procures beans on behalf of roasters, has warned that operations at the Port of Mombasa have been severely disrupted by heavy congestion and delays caused by a recent customs system upgrade.
According to the company’s weekly report on coffee-producing countries, vessels are facing prolonged waits to berth and discharge import containers.
The report also noted that export trucks are moving slowly, with long queues at the port entrance causing many exporters to miss vessel cut‑off times.
“The Port of Mombasa is currently experiencing severe congestion, causing delays in berthing vessels and offloading import containers,” read part of the Sucafina report.
Customs System Upgrade Slows Border Clearance
In addition, the Sucafina report highlighted that customs upgrades have also slowed cargo processing at border points, resulting in extended truck lines on both the Kenyan and Ugandan sides.
Also Read: Shipping Chaos as Mombasa Port Strains to Clear Over 20‑Ship Queue
These obstacles have pushed up transit times and delayed the allocation of trucks, with the company cautioning that a shortage of trucks and containers is likely in the coming weeks.
“The ripple effects will inevitably affect shipments not only in Kenya but also across Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi,” Sucafina added.
A shortage of trucks and containers is expected in the coming weeks, with ensuing inevitable delays for not only Kenya, but also Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi shipments, the company said.
Export Trucks Face Long Queues and Missed Deadlines at the Port of Mombasa
Sucafina has stated that movement into the port has become increasingly difficult for exporters, with trucks and containers facing tight entry restrictions and sluggish processing.
The company also noted that export vehicles are now taking much longer to access the terminal, forming long queues at the gates and causing shippers to miss critical loading windows.
“Export trucks/containers entering the port are restricted and very slow, with long queues awaiting entry, resulting in missed vessel handover deadlines,” Sucafina noted.
Also Read: KRA and Kenya Ports Authority Launch Major Reforms to Decongest Mombasa Port
Kenya has been rolling out a digital customs system to modernise cargo clearance and improve efficiency. These upgrades include shifting to more automated clearance tools and integrating the system with border operations.
During the rollout phase, processing is slower, which has contributed to the delays exporters and importers are currently facing.
The company noted that the customs system upgrade in Kenya is affecting the timely processing and clearance of containers at the borders, resulting in long truck queues on both sides of the Kenya–Uganda crossing and extended delays for cargo moving along the Northern Corridor.
About Sucafina Company
Sucafina is a global farm‑to‑roaster coffee merchant headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
Founded in 1977 and based in Geneva, Switzerland, the company operates in more than 40 countries, sourcing, processing, and exporting green coffee beans for roasters worldwide.
The company helps roasters find the right coffee for any budget, macrolot or microlot, while building sustainable supply chains that meet the needs of producers and roasters.
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