Chicken meat and offal market in Uganda

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, Ugandan chicken meat production reached 91.8 thousand tons, but it fell to 79.4 thousand tons the following year. This decline was driven by a severe 73% drop in export volumes and persistently high feed prices, which squeezed producer margins. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused logistical disruptions and labor shortages in processing facilities, yet output edged up to 81.9 thousand tons. A sharp turnaround occurred in 2021 as production more than doubled to 132.3 thousand tons. This surge was supported by the government's maintained restrictions on chicken meat imports and a shift among consumers toward more affordable, locally-produced protein due to rising inflation.

After the 2021 leap, production stabilized at over 131 thousand tons in 2022. Output then rose to 134.6 thousand tons in 2023, fueled by the entry of a new domestic player, Kenchic Uganda, and the scaling up of operations by major integrated firms. This expansion occurred despite ongoing feed-price inflation, which prompted some smallholders to exit the market. The government also introduced a new brand-specific registration for fresh meat processors, tightening market-entry requirements.

Production chicken meat and offal in Uganda

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of chicken meat and offal, 2017-2020

World map of production of chicken meat and offal, 2017-2020

In 2019, Uganda's chicken meat and offal production reached its lowest point at 79 396 tonnes. The following year, in 2020, output increased by 3.2% to 81 936 tonnes. Over the 2017-2020 period, production declined by 7.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.6%. The peak was recorded in 2018 at 91 789 tonnes, which represented a 3.4% increase from the previous year. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, when production fell by 13.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Uganda's chicken meat and offal production has declined for three consecutive years. In 2020, the output was valued at 193.6 million US dollars, marking a 2.7% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 26.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Uganda in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports chicken meat and offal from Uganda

Exports in kind, t

The market experienced notable fluctuations during this period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 4.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, chicken meat and offal exports from Uganda totaled 493.0 tonnes, representing a substantial 94.1% increase compared to 2019. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 948.7 tonnes, which marked a dramatic 363.8% surge from the previous year. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, when exports dropped by 73.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kenya dominated Uganda's chicken meat and offal exports in kind, accounting for 92.8% of total shipments.

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

The market showed considerable volatility throughout this timeframe. Export values hit their lowest point in 2017 and reached their peak in 2018, with a 4.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, chicken meat and offal exports from Uganda were valued at 1 165 thousand US dollars, showing a strong 82.9% increase compared to 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 564 thousand US dollars, which represented a remarkable 320.8% jump from the previous year. The most significant decrease occurred in 2019, when export values fell by 75.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Uganda's chicken meat and offal exports in value terms were almost entirely directed to Kenya, which absorbed 93.6% of total exports.

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

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

Imports chicken meat and offal to Uganda

Imports in kind, t

The market displayed an unstable trend during this period. Import volumes reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2018, with a 2.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, chicken meat and offal imports into Uganda totaled 150.5 tonnes, showing a sharp 46.1% decrease compared to the previous year. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 326.7 tonnes, which represented a 77.6% increase from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium (34.3% of imports in kind), Thailand (20.5% of imports in kind), and the United States (20.4% of imports in kind) were the main suppliers of chicken meat and offal to Uganda, together accounting for 75.2% of total imports in kind.

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

In 2019, Uganda's chicken meat and offal imports in value terms reached their lowest point at 206 thousand US dollars. The following year, in 2020, imports increased by 12.6% to 232 thousand US dollars. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 8.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.8%. The peak was recorded in 2018 at 278 thousand US dollars. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, when import values fell by 25.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Belgium (23.1% of imports in value terms), Brazil (21.1% of imports in value terms), and the United States (17.4% of imports in value terms) held the largest shares of Uganda's chicken meat and offal imports in value terms, together comprising 61.6% 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