Uganda’s cocoa industry has experienced remarkable growth over the past decade, with increased production and revenue benefiting farmers and the entire value chain.
Now a key contributor to the country’s agricultural exports, the sector continues to expand, with experts calling for greater investment in technology to enhance quality, traceability, and global marketability.
In 2013, Uganda produced 23,000 metric tonnes of cocoa beans, generating $54 million in revenue.
By the end of 2024, production more than doubled to 52,000 metric tonnes, earning the country $296 million.
Despite this progress, experts stress the need for value addition and improved traceability to further maximize the sector’s potential.
Kenneth Aedu, Project Manager at Swiss Contact, attributes this growth to the resilience of Ugandan farmers and targeted initiatives such as the Development of Market Facilitation (DMF) project.
“The increase in cocoa production is a testament to the hard work of farmers and the support of initiatives like the DMF project,” Aedu said. The project has played a pivotal role in connecting farmers to better markets and improving product quality.
The DMF project focuses on enhancing agricultural production through market facilitation, technology adoption, and infrastructure development.
By strengthening value chains in both cocoa and honey production, the initiative has significantly improved smallholder farmers’ incomes, positioning cocoa as a major export commodity.
Through direct linkages between local farmers and international buyers, Swiss Contact has helped elevate Uganda’s standing in the global cocoa market.
Beyond cocoa, Uganda’s honey industry has also seen notable improvements.
Beekeepers have benefited from targeted interventions, increasing their yields and incomes.
Robert Okidia, a local farmer, shared how his revenue has grown due to the project’s support. “Since the intervention, I’ve been able to improve my beekeeping practices, and my yields have risen,” he said.
Uganda produces between 100,000 and 200,000 metric tonnes of honey annually, with potential for further expansion to meet growing global demand, currently estimated at 1.8 million metric tonnes and valued at $7.8 billion.
However, both industries face challenges, particularly with the impending European Union Deforestation Regulations, which require agricultural products such as cocoa and coffee to be traceable back to the farmers who produced them.
Although implementation has been delayed, compliance with these regulations is crucial for sustainability and continued access to international markets.
Arafat Hossain, Country Director of Swiss Contact, emphasized the need for faster farmer registration. “More efforts are needed to register farmers and ensure their products meet the EU’s stringent traceability requirements,” he said.
Despite these challenges, the future of Uganda’s cocoa industry remains promising. Experts continue to advocate for investment in production technologies and farmer education to maintain the country’s competitiveness in the global market.
Value-added processing—such as cocoa fermentation and improved packaging—remains a key priority for increasing revenue per unit of production.
As Uganda’s cocoa exports continue to rise, the sector stands on the cusp of even greater success.
The Swiss Contact DMF project remains a key driver of this transformation, demonstrating how strategic interventions, technology adoption, and market linkages can reshape Uganda’s agricultural landscape.
With sustained investment in sustainability and traceability, the country’s cocoa industry is poised to solidify its place on the global stage.