Uganda: Cocoa Bean Market 2025

Cocoa Bean Market Size in Uganda

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in the Ugandan cocoa bean market, when its value decreased by -12.8% to $X. Overall, consumption recorded a noticeable reduction. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Cocoa Bean Production in Uganda

In value terms, cocoa bean production reached $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, the total production indicated a strong expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +7.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production decreased by -1.4% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the production volume increased by 31% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum level at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

In 2022, the average yield of cocoa beans in Uganda totaled X kg per ha, picking up by 9.1% on the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, the yield saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when the yield increased by 24% against the previous year. As a result, the yield reached the peak level of X kg per ha. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of the average cocoa bean yield remained at a 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 total area harvested in terms of cocoa beans production in Uganda reduced to X ha, with a decrease of -5.4% compared with the year before. In general, the total harvested area indicated a remarkable increase from 2012 to 2022: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +5.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, cocoa bean harvested area increased by +6.1% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 26% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to cocoa bean production attained the maximum at X ha in 2021, and then fell in the following year.

Cocoa Bean Exports

Exports from Uganda

Cocoa bean exports from Uganda expanded slightly to X tons in 2022, picking up by 4% compared with 2021 figures. In general, total exports indicated resilient growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +7.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports decreased by -3.7% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 21%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, cocoa bean exports expanded slightly to $X in 2022. Overall, exports posted a resilient expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when exports increased by 32% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Indonesia (X tons), Malaysia (X tons) and India (X tons) were the main destinations of cocoa bean exports from Uganda, with a combined 76% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Indonesia (with a CAGR of +53.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for cocoa bean exported from Uganda were Indonesia ($X), Malaysia ($X) and India ($X), together comprising 76% of total exports.

In terms of the main countries of destination, Indonesia, with a CAGR of +59.6%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average cocoa bean export price amounted to $X per ton, waning by -2% against the previous year. Overall, the export price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when the average export price increased by 11%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat for the major overseas markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the countries with the highest prices were Italy ($X per ton) and India ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Belgium ($X per ton) and Germany ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Indonesia (+3.8%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Cocoa Bean Imports

Imports into Uganda

After four years of decline, purchases abroad of cocoa beans increased by 1.3% to X tons in 2022. Over the period under review, imports showed a significant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 528% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, cocoa bean imports shrank dramatically to $X in 2022. Overall, imports saw a significant increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when imports increased by 654%. Imports peaked at $X in 2021, and then shrank dramatically in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons) was the main supplier of cocoa bean to Uganda, accounting for a approx. 100% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Democratic Republic of the Congo amounted to +45.6%.

In value terms, Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X) constituted the largest supplier of cocoa beans to Uganda.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Democratic Republic of the Congo totaled +45.4%.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average cocoa bean import price amounted to $X per ton, shrinking by -18% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the average import price increased by 55%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton, and then fell remarkably in the following year.

As there is only one major supplying country, the average price level is determined by prices for Democratic Republic of the Congo.

From 2012 to 2022, the rate of growth in terms of prices for Democratic Republic of the Congo amounted to -0.1% per year.

Source: IndexBox Platform