Cassava market in Uganda

Earlier Report Observations

Uganda's cassava market volume declined sharply from 4.4 million tons in 2018 to 2.1 million tons in 2020. The initially high level in 2018 was supported by the crop's growing recognition as an industrial raw material for breweries, starch, and animal feed, alongside government policy backing under the National Development Plan. During 2019 and 2020, the introduction of chipping and drying machines and the establishment of new ethanol extraction factories began to improve processing capacity and create new demand channels, yet these developments did not reverse the overall contraction in production.

Market volume partially recovered to 2.3 million tons in 2021, aided by government-supported value-addition projects for women farmer groups and continued policy emphasis. However, production fell again in 2022 and 2023, dropping to 1.9 million tons by 2023. This downward trend persisted despite expanding export opportunities, such as to China, and the adoption of modern farming techniques aimed at boosting yields.

Production cassava in Uganda

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

On a global scale, Uganda ranked as the 20th largest producer of cassava during the period from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of cassava, 2017-2020

World map of production of cassava, 2017-2020

Uganda's cassava production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 2 084 thousand tonnes of cassava, representing a 21.7% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 23.6%, with an average annual decline of 8.6%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 4 390 thousand tonnes, which marked a 60.9% increase from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 39.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Uganda in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports cassava from Uganda

Exports in kind, t

Uganda's cross-border shipments of cassava decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 7 671 tonnes, down 25.0% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 48.7%, with an average annual decline of 19.9%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2018 at 23 065 tonnes, which represented a 54.3% increase from 2017. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 55.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Uganda in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the main markets for Uganda's cassava exports in kind were Rwanda, accounting for 59.6% of exports, the Democratic Republic of the Congo with 16.7%, and Kenya at 15.3%. Together, these three countries represented 91.6% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Uganda in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Uganda's cassava exports in value terms declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 1 064 thousand US dollars, a 62.0% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 68.4%, with an average annual decline of 31.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 5 199 thousand US dollars, which marked a 54.4% increase from 2017.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Uganda in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the primary destinations for Uganda's cassava exports in value terms were Rwanda, which accounted for 51.5% of exports, the Democratic Republic of the Congo with 19.2%, and Kenya at 13.6%. Combined, these three countries made up 84.3% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Uganda in value, 2017-2020

Imports cassava to Uganda

Imports in kind, t

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 3 349 tonnes and peaked in 2019 at 30 636 tonnes, representing a 9.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Uganda imported a total of cassava, which was 67.7% lower compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a drop of 73.4%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 814.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Uganda in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, imports of cassava in kind to Uganda were almost entirely concentrated in Tanzania, which accounted for 100.0% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Uganda in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility over the observed period. Import volumes bottomed out in 2018 at 149 thousand US dollars and peaked in 2019 at 1 428 thousand US dollars, showing a 9.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Uganda imported 969 thousand US dollars worth of cassava, down 32.2% year-over-year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a drop of 74.0%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 856.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Uganda in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of imports in value terms was highly concentrated, with Tanzania alone accounting for 100.0% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Uganda in value, 2017-2020