Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits market in Uganda

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, Uganda's oil seeds and oleaginous fruits market volume grew from 45 637 t to 48 737 t. This expansion was supported by government interventions and investments in agriculture, which improved productivity and processing profitability. The entry of new players and the emergence of new segments in edible oil production during the oilseeds boom further stimulated market activity.

In 2021, drought conditions increased pressure on food prices and contributed to a temporary market contraction to 46 153 t. However, targeted government subsidies and diversification schemes helped mitigate the impact. By 2022, changes in consumer preferences towards locally produced edible oils boosted demand, driving market volume up to 48 038 t.

The market continued to grow in 2023, reaching 49 445 t.

Production oil seeds and oleaginous fruits in Uganda

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Uganda ranked 18th globally in terms of production volume for oil seeds and oleaginous fruits.

Top producers of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits, 2017-2020

World map of production of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits, 2017-2020

Uganda's production of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 49 618 tonnes, marking a 2.1% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 2.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.8%. The lowest production level was in 2018 at 47 193 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 2.5%. In contrast, 2019 recorded the highest increase at 2.9%.

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

Exports oil seeds and oleaginous fruits from Uganda

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. Export volumes varied significantly, with a 2.6-fold difference between the low in 2017 and the high in 2018. In 2020, Uganda exported 909 tonnes of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits, a 30.8% decrease year-over-year. The peak was in 2018 at 1 561 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 155.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Germany, and the United States were the primary destinations for Uganda's oil seeds and oleaginous fruit exports in kind. The Netherlands accounted for 34.3% of exports, Germany for 23.8%, and the United States for 16.2%, together making up 74.4% 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

The data indicates irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Export values fluctuated widely, with a 4.1-fold difference between the low in 2017 and the high in 2018. In 2020, Uganda's exports of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits amounted to 1 391 thousand US dollars, a 46.2% drop from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 3 090 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 306.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands, Germany, and the United States contributed the most to Uganda's oil seeds and oleaginous fruit exports in value terms. The Netherlands represented 39.5% of exports, Germany 26.7%, and the United States 12.1%, collectively accounting for 78.3% 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 oil seeds and oleaginous fruits to Uganda

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, suggesting a volatile market environment. Import volumes reached their highest point in 2019 and fell to their lowest in 2018, with a 23-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Uganda imported 27 tonnes of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits, a sharp decline of 73.4% from the previous year. The minimum was in 2018 at 5 tonnes, which also saw the largest decrease of 73.9%. The maximum was in 2019 at 103 tonnes, which recorded the largest increase of 2,163.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Tanzania, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates were the main sources for Uganda's imports of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits in kind, together accounting for 91.3% of total import flows.

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 data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import values changed by 19-fold from the trough in 2018 to the peak in 2020. In 2020, Uganda's imports of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits totaled 59 thousand US dollars, a 146.0% improvement over the prior year. The lowest value was in 2018 at 3 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 81.2%. The largest increase was in 2019 at 677.7%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, the United States, Tanzania, and India were the leading sources in Uganda's import structure for oil seeds and oleaginous fruits in value terms. The United States accounted for 52.0% of imports, Tanzania for 19.8%, and India for 12.4%, with a combined share of 84.2% of total import flows.

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

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