Uganda’s avocado production set for growth amid new challenges and opportunities

UGANDA – Uganda’s avocado industry is seeing steady growth in both production and demand, driven by favorable weather conditions and expanding farmer participation.

According to Kamwaka Bogere Amonie, sales manager at Damex Uganda Ltd, a fresh produce exporter, Uganda’s diverse climate plays a major role in supporting various avocado varieties throughout the year.

“The Ugandan Hass avocado season is in the first rainy season, from February to June, and in the second rainy season, from July to December. The Fuerte variety is usually ready for picking as early as February. However, smaller volumes are picked between December and January, depending on the production region. The Jumbo variety is harvested throughout the year,” Amonie explains.

The increase in production is not only attributed to the changing seasons but also to a rising number of farmers joining the avocado business.

“In Uganda, every season we see an increase in the production of avocados, as new farmers are coming up in every season. The weather also plays a part in this increase, as the more rain we see, the more production increases,” Amonie states.

The country’s avocados are mainly exported to the United Kingdom, Germany, and the Netherlands. Despite initial challenges, Uganda previously explored markets in the Middle East, specifically the UAE, but Amonie notes the demand has been slow in the region.

Challenges, however, persist in the industry. Amonie acknowledges that inconsistent farming practices, pest and disease problems, inadequate logistics, and high export costs continue to affect the quality and availability of Ugandan avocados.

He explains that the Ugandan avocado industry faces several challenges, including poor quality control due to inconsistent farming practices, inadequate cold chain logistics, long transit times, limited market access and information, pest and disease issues, and insufficient knowledge about international standards.

Despite these challenges, Amonie believes that working with trusted partners helps mitigate their impact.

In terms of pricing, Amonie explains that Uganda’s avocado prices are influenced by factors such as droughts in major producing countries like South Africa, Tanzania, and Mexico.

“Our price is determined by the low harvest from big supplying countries. If they face issues, like droughts, then our prices automatically go up, as demand increases,” he adds.

The National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) highlights that Uganda’s avocado industry is projected to experience rapid growth in the coming years.

The global market for avocados is valued at over US$8 billion and is expected to surpass $20 billion by 2026.

Kenya’s avocado industry also set for continued growth

Meanwhile, Uganda’s neighbor Kenya is also experiencing a surge in avocado production, with projections for 2025 indicating a seventh consecutive year of growth in export volumes.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has forecast that Kenya will export 135,000 tons of avocados in 2025, marking a 6.3% increase from the previous year.

The growth is attributed to higher production levels, favorable weather conditions, and an expansion of avocado farming in areas not traditionally known for the crop.

“Kenya is Africa’s leading producer and exporter of avocados, and this growth is mainly attributed to higher production levels, the expansion of growing areas, and growing global demand, especially in the European and Middle Eastern markets,” the USDA report explains.

In addition to the increase in exports, revenue is expected to rise by 11% to reach US$175 million, continuing the trend of strong financial performance that began in 2022.

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