Cotton seeds market in Uganda

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, Uganda's cotton seed production increased from 70 000 t to 85 000 t. This growth was primarily driven by sustained government support, including the supply of free seeds and pesticides to farmers, and the launch of the Cotton Value Chain Project which introduced modern farming techniques in Northern Uganda. Regulatory improvements, such as the 2021 amendment to the Cotton Development Act, provided a more stable framework for the industry.

Production stabilized at 85 000 t in 2022, supported by innovations in seed multiplication and a $2 million technical assistance grant from the African Development Bank aimed at revitalizing the cotton value chain. However, output fell to 80 000 t in 2023, influenced by persistent operational challenges such as delays in seed distribution highlighted by farmer calls for earlier delivery. Consequently, the domestic market volume for cotton seeds reached 83 981 t in 2021 but contracted to 72 488 t in 2023, also affected by a significant rebound in export volumes that year.

Production cotton seeds in Uganda

In kind, 2017-2020, t

On a global scale, Uganda ranked as the 30th largest producer of cotton seeds during the period from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of cotton seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of cotton seeds, 2017-2020

Uganda's cotton seeds production increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 80 000 tonnes of cotton seeds, marking an 8.1% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 6.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 70 000 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 6.7%.

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

Exports cotton seeds from Uganda

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited significant volatility during these years. Exports reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2018, with a sevenfold difference between these two years. In 2020, Uganda's cotton seeds exports amounted to 921 tonnes, representing an 82.4% decrease from the previous year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 6 477 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 184.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Tanzania remained the dominant export destination for cotton seeds in kind, accounting for 79.8% of total flows, while the remaining volume was distributed across various other markets.

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 data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. The minimum value was recorded in 2018, while the maximum occurred in 2019, with a 6.9-fold variation between these years. In 2020, Uganda's cotton seeds exports were valued at 1 304 thousand US dollars, reflecting a sharp decrease of 81.1% compared to 2019. The maximum value was 6 903 thousand US dollars in 2019, which also experienced the largest increase of 588.2%.

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

During 2017-2020, Tanzania (56.5% of exports in value terms), China (7.4%), and South Sudan (6.5%) continued to be the main buyers of Ugandan cotton seeds, collectively accounting for 70.4% of total export value.

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

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

Imports cotton seeds to Uganda

Imports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 428-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Uganda's cotton seeds imports stood at 12 tonnes, reflecting a sharp decrease of 85.1% compared to the previous year. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 81 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 3 554.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Tanzania remained the primary source for imports in kind, with a share of 79.5% of total flows, while the remainder was fragmented across numerous other destinations.

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

Uganda's cotton seeds imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported approximately 32 thousand US dollars worth of cotton seeds, up by 27.4% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports surged by 20 356.7%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 489.2%.

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

During 2017-2020, Benin (45.1% of imports in value terms), Zimbabwe (34.6%), and the United States (6.6%) were the main sources in the geographical breakdown of cotton seeds imports to Uganda, collectively representing 86.2% of total import value.

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

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