Plenty of beans were registered at the regional market in Busia where an estimated 1500-1900MT of assorted beans were sorted and exported to Kenya via the main gate but also informally. The demand for beans increased by the day which escalated into increasing beans price at the border market. Uganda has had a good harvest for beans and it appears a lot of beans did not get onto the market during the Covid-19 pandemic peak since most people resorted to farming and staying at home.
Beans prices have been low in most locations especially in major cities and townships where traders have continually noticed low demand for the same. At Busia, Army green beans were demanded most at Ugx.2028/kg (Ksh.65). Yellow beans were equally demanded high at Ugx.1903/kg (Ksh.61).
There was an increase in the price of beans compared to the previous week’s data. Rosecoco beans increased to Ugx.1840/kg (KSh.59) while Nambale beans increased to Ugx.1778/kg (Ksh.57). Other varieties such as Wailimu and Mixed beans were also offered higher at Ugx.1435/kg (Ksh.46) and Ugx.1123/kg (Ksh.36) respectively.
Other commodities demanded at Busia Cross border market included Millet at Ugx.2527/kg (Ksh.81), Soya beans at Ugx.2433/kg (Ksh.78) and Cassava chips at Ugx.936/kg (Ksh.30). Groundnuts were bought at a comparably low price of Ugx.4524/kg (Ksh.145) depending on the previous week’s price.
Other items purchased at a lower price included Simsim at Ugx.4617/kg (Ksh.146), Green grams at Ugx.2059/kg (Ksh.66). Sorghum was purchased at the same price compared to the previous week’s price.
In Kampala City’s major markets, plenty of beans supply was registered from all production sites but mainly from West and Central regions. The quality has greatly improved as less rain is registered in the production locations which allows adequate drying.
Better quality Short Nambale beans (Nabe 4) were registered from Masaka at Ugx.2000/kg because they are recently harvested while that from Bunyoro-Hoima cost Ugx.1700-1800/kg wholesale price. Mixed beans were much cheaper at Ugx.1300-1400/kg. Sugar and Army Green beans were offered higher at Ugx.2200/kg and 2100/kg. Good quality large seeded white beans cost Ugx.2200/kg while the smaller quality cost Ugx.1700/kg. Rosecoco and Large Nambaale cost Ugx.1800/kg especially in Owino market.
In the fresh item market, plenty of tomatoes were registered in Kampala markets leading to a slump in the tomato market price. A box ply weighing about 100-120kgs of fresh tomato cost Ugx.80,000 during high supply while at minimal supply it cost Ugx.150,000. Some consumers demanded for large tomatoes rendering the small sized tomatoes cheaper.
Traders talked to noted that the consumer demand was lower than usual. The festive season commodity buying spree should have started during the month of December which isn’t the case. Passion fruits were offered cheaper after the purchase price declined from Ugx.800,000 to Ugx.600,000 per bag weighing an estimated 70-90kgs. The much demanded lemon during the Weekly Market Outlook: Week 48, 29th Nov-4th Dec, 2021 Covid peak has fallen to Ugx.130,000-140,000 per bag while Oranges cost Ugx.80,000 per bag. Green pepper cost Ugx.40,000 to Ugx.50,000 per bag from Ugx.60,000-80,000 per bag. A reduced supply of Matooke continues to find its way to the market.
The Ugandan market continued to receive maize from the Kenyan side at a cost of Ugx.1029/kg (Ksh.33). Less than 300MT were received daily, however, there were mentions of newly harvested maize trickling into the market on the Ugandan side. In Kampala’s Kafumbe Mukasa/Owino market, newly harvested maize grain was offered at Ugx.1130/kg. The quality is highly moist which has brought down the old stocked maize from Ugx.1200/kg to Ugx.1150/kg.
Download this week’s Price Outlook (29th November – 4th December) for the detailed wholesale and retail prices of selected commodities across the various regions of Uganda.
This is very helpful information for my grains business.