David Luwandagga

Major markets registered newly harvested maize countrywide. In Kisenyi-Owino dry grain market, maize was offered at two quality levels viz old stock grain at Ugx.800/kg and newly harvested grain at Ugx.750/kg. Good quality maize flour was offered at Ugx.68,000-70,000 per 50kg sack. The beans harvest started much earlier and a considerable volume of assorted bean

There were reports of high demand for produce at border points especially Busia where volumes of trade were registered especially for beans, maize and millet. Huge volumes of assorted beans were recorded throughout the week to the tune of between 1300MT-2500MT daily. In the maize sector, approximately 300-500MT were traded daily throughout the week. Several

The maize market price gradually increased from Ugx.650/kg where it had stabilized low in Kampala’s major markets for a few weeks. It increased to Ugx.850/kg in Kafumbe Mukasa market but later subsided to Ugx.800-810/kg. Millers reduced their maize grain intake after realizing that their internal school food purpose requirement was never taking off when a few finalists were

Low maize grain prices were reported in the rural production locations in the country side. In the western region, Kyegegwa, Kabarole, Kamwenge and Kyenjonjo maize grain was demanded low. A kilo of grain fetched Ugx.500-600/kg and the market price is expected low in the near future. The major internal grain market known to the traders

The month of April marked the opening of the first seasonal harvest for beans. Freshly harvested beans were received at Busia at a slightly higher price compared the old stocked beans. An estimated 400MT were received in this market daily throughout the week. Trading was slow. Few traders turned up to purchase beans, however, the

This  week, there was more demand for maize grain at the regional border market in Busia after closure of the Tanzanian-Kenyan borders that had registered newly harvested grain from Tanzania via Sirari and Namanga. The regional market price at Busia fluctuated between Ksh.29-30/kg for good quality grain. The least acceptable quality was offered between Ksh.25-27/kg.

Maize traders and stockiest have rushed to market to minimize losses as the market price begins to subside. Maize supply was delivered to Busia from Tanzania via Taveta, Sibanya and Namanga. Apparently the Tanzanian supply which is newly harvested and is of good quality and cheaper than the old stock grain from Uganda. When the

As the nation waits for the next presidential address on the Covid 19 pandemic, fewer consumers were registered in the markets to purchase food items. The trading communities in Kampala’s major markets expressed their regret at the low turn up. The concern of social distancing was disqualified because the traders were not registering the right