Uganda: Banana And Plantain Market 2025

Banana And Plantain Market Size in Uganda

The Ugandan banana and plantain market was estimated at $X in 2022, with an increase of 2.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption continues to indicate a prominent increase. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Banana And Plantain Production in Uganda

In value terms, banana and plantain production expanded to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production posted pronounced growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 147%. Banana and plantain production peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

The average yield of bananas and plantains in Uganda fell slightly to X tons per ha in 2022, stabilizing at 2021 figures. In general, the yield saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 5.2%. As a result, the yield attained the peak level of X tons per ha. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the average banana and plantain yield remained at a somewhat lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, the harvested area of bananas and plantains in Uganda amounted to X ha, increasing by 3.1% against the previous year. In general, the harvested area showed a strong increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when the harvested area increased by 174% against the previous year. The banana and plantain harvested area peaked at X ha in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Banana And Plantain Exports

Exports from Uganda

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in overseas shipments of bananas and plantains, when their volume decreased by -40% to X tons. Overall, exports, however, showed a significant increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 561% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2021, and then contracted sharply in the following year.

In value terms, banana and plantain exports dropped to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, recorded a significant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when exports increased by 1,347%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at $X in 2021, and then dropped in the following year.

Exports by Country

Kenya (X tons), the UK (X tons) and South Sudan (X tons) were the main destinations of banana and plantain exports from Uganda, together comprising 72% of total exports. Belgium, Canada, Germany, the United Arab Emirates, the United States and Rwanda lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 14%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by the United Arab Emirates (with a CAGR of +133.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the UK ($X) remains the key foreign market for bananas and plantains exports from Uganda, comprising 30% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Kenya ($X), with a 13% share of total exports. It was followed by Germany, with a 7.4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to the UK stood at +27.6%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Kenya (+43.8% per year) and Germany (+72.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average banana and plantain export price amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 49% against the previous year. In general, the export price posted a remarkable increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 121%. The export price peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Rwanda ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to South Sudan (+18.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Banana And Plantain Imports

Imports into Uganda

In 2022, supplies from abroad of bananas and plantains decreased by -6.1% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. In general, imports, however, recorded significant growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when imports increased by 366%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, banana and plantain imports shrank modestly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, posted a significant increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when imports increased by 132% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of banana and plantain to Uganda, accounting for a 83% share of total imports. Moreover, banana and plantain imports from Democratic Republic of the Congo exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, South Africa (X tons), more than tenfold. The third position in this ranking was held by India (X tons), with a 4.8% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from Democratic Republic of the Congo totaled +25.3%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: South Africa (+135.1% per year) and India (+105.8% per year).

In value terms, Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X), South Africa ($X) and India ($X) constituted the largest banana and plantain suppliers to Uganda, together comprising 92% of total imports.

South Africa, with a CAGR of +154.0%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average banana and plantain import price amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 5.3% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, continues to indicate a noticeable contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the average import price increased by 52%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2022, the average import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was South Africa ($X per ton), while the price for Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Africa (+8.1%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform