Uganda leads in African organic exports

Uganda's export share of organic products to the world market has increased considerably and is the highest in Africa, although the continent produces only 1 percent of global organic products. The coordinator of the National Organic Agricultural Movement of Uganda, Moses Muwanga, said, "Thirty eight per cent of organic agriculture production in Africa is from Uganda, with over 50,000 certified organic farmers. This makes Uganda one of the countries with the highest comparative advantages for organic production in Africa."

Muwanga said the number of organic export companies has also grown from 5 in 2001 to 22 by the end of 2005. In Africa, Tanzania comes second with 17 percent, while South Africa produces 14 percent of organic agricultural products.

Some of the organically produced products include fresh and dry pineapples, passion fruits, dried mangoes, vanilla and Sesame. He said a 2001 study by the ministry of finance revealed that Uganda is among the lowest users of artificial fertilisers in Africa, with less than 2 percent use compared to 9 percent in sub Saharan Africa countries.

Muwanga said organic farming will offer premiums to exporters and smallholder farmers, resulting in increased incomes and improved livelihoods. He said for example, the average yield of fresh pineapples of 15,000 tonnes per acre fetches up to 500 Uganda Shillings (US30 cents) per piece for organically grown product and Shs300 (20 cents) for the conventionally grown pineapples.

Land under organic management in Uganda is also high at 185,000 hectares compared to 45,000 in South Africa, 15,000 in Egypt, 11,000 in Morocco and 18,255 in Tunisa. Muwanga said that although there is high demand for organic products worldwide, their supply still remains a big challenge.

Monitor