Plenty of assorted beans were delivered to Busia Border Produce market. An estimated 800MT of assorted beans were purchased at this market by the transit traders from Kenya on a daily basis. The volumes of beans traded had declined from the previous weeks’ logistics that were quoted at 1300-1800MT. Prices were on the rise. Yellow beans cost Ugx.2139/kg (Ksh.69-70), Nambale at Ugx.1860/kg (Ksh.60-61), Rosecoco at Ugx.2108/kg (Ksh.68), Wailimu beans at Ugx.1519/kg (Ksh.49-50), Sort Nambale at Ugx.2015/kg (Ksh.65), Red beans at Ugx.1519/kg (Ksh.49-50), Mixed beans at Ugx.1612/kg (Ksh.52-55) and Small mixed beans at Ugx.1395/kg (Ksh.45-46).
Other commodities demanded at Busia included dry cassava chips at Ugx.837/kg (Ksh.27), Sorghum at Ugx.930/kg (Ksh.30), Millet at Ugx.2356/kg (Ksh.76), Green grams at Ugx.2573/kg (Ksh.83), Soya bean at Ugx.2449/kg (Ksh.79) Groundnuts at Ugx.4588/kg (Ksh.148-150) and Simsim at Ugx.4805/kg (Ksh.155).
The market received beans from almost all production locations including, Kiboga, Kyankwanzi, Kibaale, Kagadi, Greater Mbarara and central region at large. The harvest is almost done in all locations and stock is currently held with rural stockists and transit traders. Low wholesale prices have been reflected countrywide indicating good production ratios.
In Kampala, an assortment of beans varieties usually demanded by city dwellers was delivered at a slightly increased market price. White beans delivered from the regional market (Rwanda) cost Ugx.2300/kg as well as Sugar beans. Newly harvested beans were mainly received from Kasese, Mbarara and parts of Kiboga district. Short Nambale beans were offered at Ugx.1800- 1900/kg while Yellow cost Ugx.2000-2100/kg.
The supply to the major markets was good and is expected to continue into January. In the northern region, beans prices were slightly higher at Ugx.2200-2400/kg for different varieties. Black beans were much cheaper at Ugx.1800/kg because it is a northern Uganda region delicacy. In the Central and Western region, where currently supply is coming from, beans were offered at Ugx.1300-1600/kg depending on the variety and the quality. The city markets levied a higher margin compared to their retail offer prices.
At the regional border post market of Busia, an estimated 200MT of maize grain were purchased on a daily. This stock has opened up maize grain business in Kenya which has been off for a while because Kenya found Uganda maize highly priced than their harvest. They purchased some maize last year from Tanzania where it was offered cheaper than the Ugandan maize. Apparently, the expected yield was highly affected by the dry spell and very low production estimates are expected this season. It is anticipated that the maize grain regional market will be short lived given the limited surplus from the Ugandan market.
The schools’ demand and other buyers are expected to exhaust this maize in less than two months. Good quality maize was offered at Ugx.930/kg (Ksh.30) while fair quality at Ugx.914/kg (Ksh.29.5). The least acceptable quality normally for animal feeds at Ugx.899/kg (Ksh.29). Most of the grain supply was delivered from western Uganda, however, some supply was also received from Busoga, Bunyoli, northern Uganda and Busia district. The quality is apparently not good due to high moisture content. Most of the supply delivered via Busia was destined for eastern Kenya Ukamba region.
The maize grain market opened the year 2022 with a reduction in the market price countrywide. The much anticipated harvest is expected to climax mid-January 2022. Apparently, some production location received late steady and stable rainfall late and are said to have recouped from the stunted growth due to the dry spells. Good maize grain harvest is expected in Greater Masaka area. Some production was registered in places such as Lwengo district where no maize has been recorded before.
In Kampala, maize was offered at Ugx.880/kg from the previous week’s price of Ugx.950/kg during the Christmas week. Maize flour price stabilized at Ugx.900,000 for a 50kg bag wholesale price. Maize supply was reported from such areas as Kiboga, Hoima, Kassanda, Mubende, Kyankwanzi, Kibaale and Nakaseke. The grain price has declined in most of the above production markets.
In the fresh commodity markets, Irish potatoes were delivered from Ssingo, Fort portal and parts of Masaka. A bag weighing 150-180kgs was offered at Ugx.140,000. During the festive season, the irish potato price rose from Ugx.120,000. It is expected to decline as more supply reaches the centre market.
Fluctuation of tomato prices was reported before Christmas week. Initially, it dropped to Ugx.150,000 but increased due to the festive sales fever up to Ugx.230,000. During scarcity of tomatoes in a centre market, a ply shot up to 300,000. Plenty of Green pepper was supplied during the festive season. Green pepper price fluctuated between Ugx.30,000-100,000 per bag depending on supply of the day. Carrots were a hot selling commodity offered at Ugx.150,000 per bag weighing between 120-150kgs. Passion fruits from Masaka cost Ugx.900,000-950,000 per bag, however, the cheaper Yellow variety cost Ugx.400,000-450,000 depending on the supply of the day. Onions were very expensive and a bag delivered from Tanzania to Kampala cost Ugx.350,000-400,000. Harvest is expected at the opening of the year from Kabale which will probably reduce the current high price.
In other markets countrywide, maize was offered low at Ugx.800/kg in Gulu while in Arua at Ugx.900/kg. The grain price continues to decline as more supply of the late second season of the year enrolls. In Masindi, farmers offered maize at Ugx.650/kg. The quality is currently still wet with high moisture content of above 15-16. A good crop is expected in Masaka as already mentioned and a kilo was offered at Ugx.800/kg wholesale price. In Soroti, it was offered at Ugx.950/kg and supply has been noted from Kapchorwa.
Download this week’s Price Outlook (3rd – 8th January, 2022) for the detailed wholesale and retail prices of selected commodities across the various regions of Uganda.