Slow trading was reported at the regional border trade hub of Busia in the opening week of August. There was very low demand for maize grain at the border post market as Kenya continues to harvest some maize in the western region around Kitale which apparently coincides with the Ugandan harvest in Kapchorwa. This supply could continue reaching the market until end of September. Only less than 50Mt of grain was reported crossing daily from the produce market to Kenya formally and an equivalent 50Mt estimated daily via trade routes through the porous border. Good quality maize was offered at Ugx. 861/kg(Ksh.29.9) while fair quality at Ugx.855/kg(Ksh.29.7) and the least acceptable quality usually for animal feeds at Ugx.835/kg(Ksh.29).

The grain price continued to decline as the month enrolled to Ugx.841/kg (Ksh.29) for good quality maize grain while fair quality reduced to Ugx.835/kg (Ksh.28.8) and the least quality to Ugx.825/kg (Ksh.28.5).

There was a slight increase in the offer price for maize at the border post in the closing week of August. Good quality maize was purchased at Ugx.870/kg (Ksh.30) while fair quality increased to Ugx.855/kg (Ksh.29.5). The least acceptable quality increased to Ugx.840/kg (Ksh.29). Schools opening for third term in Kenya was noted as the cause for increased demand for maize grain resulting in that price increase.

Other commodities demanded by the Kenyan market included cassava at Ugx.580/kg (Ksh.20), millet at Ugx.2262/kg (Ksh.78), Red sorghum at Ugx.1102/kg (Ksh.38), white sorghum at Ugx.1015/kg (Ksh.35), Green grams at Ugx.2175//kg (Ksh.75), Soya bean at Ugx.2668/kg (Ksh.92), Ground nuts at Ugx.5742/kg (Ksh.198) and Simsim at Ugx.7540/kg (Ksh.260).

Cheaper beans continued to be delivered on the Ugandan side of Busia border market from Kenya presumed from Ethiopia during the month of August. The quality was not good. Yellow beans from Kenya cost Ugx.3770/kg (Ksh.130) while yellow beans from Uganda cost Ugx.4118/kg (Ksh.142), Nambale from Kenya cost Ugx.3190/kg (Ksh.110) while that from Uganda at Ugx.2799/kg(Ksh.95). Mixed beans were offered at Ugx.2088/kg (Ksh.70-72).

Other commodities demanded were cassava chips at Ugx.580-609/kg(Ksh.20-21/kg), groundnuts at Ugx.5510/kg(Ksh.190), soya beans at Ugx.2755/kg(Ksh.95), red sorghum at Ugx.1013/kg(Ksh.35), white sorghum at Ugx.986/kg(Ksh.34), millet at Ugx.2494/kg(Ksh.86), green gram Ugx.2552/kg (Ksh.88) and simsim at Ugx.7395/kg (Ksh.255) The Kenyan supply was reported delivered to Kampala, Soroti and some nearby border lying Kenyan markets.

There was a slight increase in the volume of beans reported from Kenya via Busia border post in the final week of the month of August. An estimated 1000-1200Mt of beans daily were received at this border post market. Yellow beans increased slightly to Ugx.3842/kg (Ksh.132) while mixed beans to Ugx.2175/kg (Ksh.75). Short Nambale beans were reported stable at Ugx.3770/kg (Ksh.130) while Wailimu at Ugx.3278/kg (ksh.82), Mwitimani cost Ugx.1914/kg (Ksh.66) and large Nambale at Ugx.3190/kg. This supply was distributed to a wider area in Uganda to as far as Lira, Kampala, Jinja and Busia.

Maize grain supply to Kampala in the opening week of August was of a better quality because it was dry and its price increased to Ugx.900-920/kg in Owino/Kisenyi markets. Regulated supply of grain reached this market indicating that the season was not very good due to weather constraints. Maize flour cost Ugx.80,000-85,000 per sack weighing 50kgs in the above market. It was mostly delivered from Hoima, Kiboga, Kyankwanzi, Kibaale and the Central region at large. In most production locations, maize was stocked and offered at Ugx.700-720/kg.

Stable maize grain prices were registered midmonth at Ugx.850-900/kg. The grain price however, increased at the close of the month to Ugx.920-930/kg. A number of traders found business in supplying upcountry markets such as Gulu/Lira where the first seasonal harvest was not yet ready. Maize was purchased in Gulu at Ugx.800-900/kg while in the western region, Rwandan traders heightened their purchase of maize grain at Ugx.820-830/kg. The cheapest maize was offered from Kyankwanzi, Kiboga at Ugx.700-750/kg and Mubende at Ugx.760-770/kg. The new maize expected in Kapchorwa was not yet ready and is in the process of drying. With this supply on the Ugandan market and that of Kitale across on the Kenyan market, fluctuation of the grain price is expected to continue until the end of September. The grain price is expected to heighten during the month of October before any new seasonal maize will likely be on the market.

In the opening week of the month, limited supply of beans was reported in Kampala’s general commodity markets. Short Nambale and Yellow beans were very expensive at Ugx.4000-4200/kg at wholesale. Large Nambale was offered cheaper at Ugx.3500-3600/kg wholesale.

Beans were equally expensive in other regional markets because they were off season and farmers were weeding at around this time of the year.

Midmonth, there was a slight decline in the beans price in Kampala due to increased supply. Yellow and Short Nambale beans were offered at Ugx.3800-4100/kg wholesale. Long Nambale beans were cheaper at Ugx.3500-3600/kg wholesale price. Omusingiriro Mixed beans cost Ugx.2800-2900/kg.

At the close of the month, supply of beans declined indicating that the first seasonal harvest was affected irregular and inadequate rainfall which forced market prices to rally. Sugar and Yellow beans increased to Ugx.4500/kg in the closing week wholesale in Kampala. It is also true that some old stock yellow beans were offered cheaper at Ugx.4000/kg depending on the quality. Other varieties such as Nambale were offered at Ugx.4000-4200/kg in the same market.

Newly harvested sugar beans were delivered on the Kampala market from Kabale. This supply got to the market when there was scarcity for beans in general making them very expensive at Ugx.4500/kg wholesale price.  

An increasing supply of Ethiopian beans were received at Busia Border Post market in the course of the month of August. This supply was cheaper than the beans on the Ugandan market although the quality.

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