Best Prospect Industries – Food Processing

Agriculture employs about 80 percent of the population and contributes 33 percent of the GDP. Most industries in Uganda depend heavily on agriculture for raw material/inputs. President Museveni actively promotes value-added exports, such as roasted coffee, palm oil processing, and cotton yarn. Uganda hopes to expand its agricultural exports under the East African Customs Union.

Agricultural processing is starting to develop and there are investment opportunities in processing and packaging coffee, edible oils, tropical fruits and fruit juices, and non-traditional crops such as vanilla. There is also further potential for growth in horticultural exports. Uganda began exporting cut flowers to the U.S. duty free in early 2006, under the benefits of the AGOA initiative. A significant percentage of the food imports from the United States are monetized maize, soya beans and vegetable oils.

Opportunities for export to Uganda include: food processing equipment, including drying, storage, and treatment facilities; chemicals and additives used to preserve or process foods; canning, bottling, and other packaging equipment and related materials; repair and maintenance services; consulting services on set up and operation of food processing equipment and systems.