By David Frederick Kawooya
Over the past decade, Uganda’s cocoa industry has experienced remarkable growth. The country’s cocoa production has more than doubled, from 23,000 metric tons in 2013 to 52,000 metric tons in 2024. This growth has made Uganda a major player in the global cocoa market.
So, what’s behind this success? Experts say it’s a combination of factors, including the hard work of Ugandan farmers and targeted initiatives like the Development of Market Facilitation (DMF) project. This project has helped connect farmers to better markets and improved their products.
“The increase in cocoa production is a testament to the hard work of farmers and the support of initiatives like the DMF project,” says Kenneth Aedu, Project Manager at Swiss Contact.
One of the key benefits of the DMF project is that it has helped farmers produce higher-quality cocoa. This has made their products more attractive to buyers, both locally and internationally. As a result, farmers are earning more money, and the country is generating more revenue from cocoa exports. In 2013, Uganda earned $54 million from cocoa exports. By 2024, this number had risen to $296 million.
But Uganda’s cocoa industry isn’t just about producing more cocoa. It’s also about producing better cocoa. To achieve this, experts say that the industry needs to invest in technology. This will help improve the quality of Uganda’s cocoa and make it more competitive in the global market.
Another area of focus is sustainability. Uganda’s cocoa industry needs to ensure that its products are sustainable and environmentally friendly. This is particularly important in light of new European Union regulations, which require cocoa and coffee products to be traceable back to the farmers who produced them.
“More efforts are needed to register farmers and ensure their products meet the EU’s stringent traceability requirements,” says Arafat Hossain, Country Director of Swiss Contact.
Despite these challenges, Uganda’s cocoa industry has a bright future. With continued investment in technology and sustainability, the country is well-positioned to become a major player in the global cocoa market.
In addition to cocoa, Uganda is also producing high-quality honey. The country’s beekeepers have seen their incomes rise thanks to targeted initiatives like the DMF project.
Uganda produces between 100,000 and 200,000 metric tons of honey annually, with potential for further expansion to meet growing global demand. The global honey market is currently estimated at 1.8 million metric tons and valued at $7.8 billion.
With its rich natural resources and hardworking farmers, Uganda is well-positioned to become a significant player in the global honey market as well.
