Sunflower-seed oilcake market in Uganda

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, Uganda's sunflower-seed oilcake market volume remained stable between 102 and 105 thousand tons, with production hovering around 111 thousand tons annually. During this period, initiatives like the distribution of improved sunflower seeds by NGOs such as Adventist Development and Relief Agency (Adra) and the promotion of oilseed cultivation by the Uganda Oil Seed Producers and Processors Association (UOSPA) helped maintain production levels despite challenges in seed quality and farm management.

Production began to rise from 2021 onward, reaching 121.3 thousand tons in 2023, supported by increased government intervention. In 2022, the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) distributed 75 tons of sunflower seed to farmers, and the government allocated UGX 5 billion for seed procurement. However, market volume dropped to 98.4 thousand tons in 2022 as exports surged to 19.4 thousand tons, driven by growing demand for vegetable oil and sunflower cake in local and regional markets that pushed processors to operate at full capacity.

The market recovered to 108.0 thousand tons in 2023 as exports moderated to 13.3 thousand tons and production continued to expand. Efforts by UOSPA to improve access to affordable, high-quality seeds in northern Uganda and enhanced collaboration across the oilseed value chain contributed to sustaining growth in production and market volume.

Production sunflower-seed oilcake in Uganda

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Uganda ranked as the 20th largest producer of sunflower-seed oilcake globally.

Top producers of sunflower-seed oilcake, 2017-2020

World map of production of sunflower-seed oilcake, 2017-2020

Uganda's sunflower-seed oilcake production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 110.9 thousand tonnes, showing minimal change from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 27%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.3%. The highest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 111.1 thousand tonnes. The largest annual decline occurred in 2019 at 0.1%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 27.2%.

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

Exports sunflower-seed oilcake from Uganda

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Uganda exported 5 562 tonnes of sunflower-seed oilcake, a 35.7% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 43.1%, which translates to an average annual decline of 17.1%. The largest year-over-year increase was recorded in 2019 at 17.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kenya was the dominant export partner for Uganda's sunflower-seed oilcake in volume terms, accounting for 80.2% of total exports. Other markets held relatively small shares.

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 sunflower-seed oilcake exports in value terms reached 2 937 thousand US dollars in 2020, up 69.4% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, export value decreased by 31.7%, with an average annual decline of 12.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 734 thousand US dollars, while the peak was in 2018 at 4 347 thousand US dollars. The sharpest annual drop occurred in 2019 at 60.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Kenya was the primary destination for Uganda's sunflower-seed oilcake exports in value terms, representing 90.2% of the total.

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

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

Imports sunflower-seed oilcake to Uganda

Imports in kind, t

In 2018, Uganda imported 30 tonnes of sunflower-seed oilcake, marking a significant increase of 12.4% compared to the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Tanzania was the main source of sunflower-seed oilcake imports to Uganda in volume terms, accounting for 99.4% 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

In 2018, Uganda's sunflower-seed oilcake imports in value terms totaled 3 thousand US dollars, down 88.7% from the previous year.

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

During 2017-2020, Tanzania was virtually the sole supplier of sunflower-seed oilcake to Uganda in value terms, capturing 99.8% of total imports.

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

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