Soybeans market in Uganda, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

Soybean production in Uganda expanded significantly from 108 thousand tons in 2018 to 194 thousand tons in 2023, driven primarily by the adoption of improved varieties developed at Makerere University and the entry of new processing companies that created a ready market demand for farmers. The market volume grew from 93 thousand tons to 174 thousand tons over the same period, supported by these production boosts and increased local and international demand for soybean products.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 introduced market access challenges and price volatility, yet production continued to rise as some farmers increased cultivation during lockdowns. Subsequent years saw yield improvements from 0.6 to 0.8 tons per hectare due to better agronomic practices, helping to stabilize and grow the market despite pests like soybean rust and competitive pressures from imported oils.

From 2022 onward, a sharp production increase was fueled by enhanced market access and quality upgrading efforts, along with a 53% surge in export volumes in 2023 to destinations such as Kenya and Rwanda. Ongoing breeding programs for climate-resilient varieties and traceability systems in the supply chain further strengthened Uganda's soybean sector.

Production soybeans in Uganda

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of soybeans, 2017-2020

World map of production of soybeans, 2017-2020

Uganda's soybean production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 138.0 K t of soybeans, marking a modest year-on-year increase of 8.7%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production surged by 391.2%, with an impressive compound annual growth rate of 70.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Production reached its lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 4.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, the value of soybean output in Uganda was 80 520 K $ US, reflecting a moderate decrease of 7.4% from 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 86 958 K $ US, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, with a jump of 215.6%.

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

Exports soybeans from Uganda

Exports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, showing a 4.5-fold difference. In 2020, soybean shipments from Uganda to abroad totaled 23 707 t, reflecting a steep improvement of 285.9% from 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, at 58.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kenya, Spain, and France formed the core of Uganda's soybean exports in kind. Kenya accounted for 29.2% of exports, Spain for 25.2%, and France for 14.8%, together making up 69.2% of total 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 reveals irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports bottomed out in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 3.6-fold gap. In 2020, soybean shipments from Uganda to abroad amounted to 13 832 K $ US, constituting a steep gain of 228.9% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, at 52.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kenya, Spain, and France accounted for the largest share of Uganda's soybean exports in value terms. Kenya represented 27.0% of exports, Spain 24.9%, and France 15.7%, together comprising 67.6% of total 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 soybeans to Uganda

Imports in kind, t

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2019, varying by a 198-fold multiple. In 2020, imported soybean volumes in Uganda came to 74 t, down by 99.1% from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 43 t, while the maximum was in 2019 at 8 469 t. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a surge of 19 717.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Tanzania concentrated most of Uganda's soybean imports in kind, taking 89.8% of total flows, with the remaining share fragmented among other smaller markets.

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 showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Import values dropped to a minimum in 2018 and climbed to their maximum in 2019, a 251-fold shift. In 2020, the value of soybeans imported by Uganda was 1 735 K $ US, marking a sharp decrease of 97.7% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 7 K $ US, while the maximum was in 2019 at 1 735 K $ US. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, with a jump of 25 043.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Tanzania took the dominant position in Uganda's soybean imports in value terms, accounting for 84.8% of total flows, while the remaining share was split among various smaller destinations.

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

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