The second seasonal harvest started in December. Typically, there are two grain price offers for the old and newly harvested grain at the season’s onset. The Old grain price peaked at Ugx.1350/kg as new harvest phased out old stock grain, dropping wholesale price to Ugx.1100/kg. Current supply registered high moisture content rates. Maize grain was received from all production locations such as Hoima, Kiboga,Kyankwanzi, Kagadi, Kibaale, Iganga Mubende, e.t.c
The yield this season has been significantly impacted by the dry weather conditions especially during the 3rd & 4th quarter of the year. Harvesting is anticipated to extend into the following year, likely concluding in February 2026.The maize grain price is not expected to decline any further (usually low at Ugx.600/kg Farmgate price), however, the peak of the supply season is expected in mid-January,2026. A reduction in maize yield is anticipated this season compared to last year’s second harvest. There is evidence to suggest that the northern region has experienced a more pronounced adverse effect than other production areas.
In Gulu, where harvesting has taken off, maize was offered Ugx.1200-1500/kg at wholesale. The maize grain price in the northern region is speculated to increase faster due to demand.
The region also registered harvesting of groundnuts,soya beans, simsim among other commodities.
Simsim prices dropped to astonishing Ugx.2000 per kilogram at the farmgate price in Gulu and parts of Lira, while the wholesale price in Gulu main market stands at Ugx.4000 per kilogram.This decline can be attributed to an extraordinary influx of simsim and white groundnut supplies from Northern Sudan.Such an abundance clarifies the reduced market prices, particularly in Kampala, where simsim is recorded at a wholesale rate of Ugx. 4300 per kilogram. The price of Serenut (white) groundnuts has also fallen to Ugx. 3800 per kilogram at wholesale, whereas the red beauty groundnuts harvested from Busoga and the northern regions cost Ugx. 5000 per kilogram. Traders engaged in value addition by grinding or pounding groundnuts have reaped substantial profits through the adulteration of serenut and red beauty groundnuts. A kilogram of groundnuts that have been pounded or grounded retails at between Ugx. 7,000 and Ugx. 8,000.
The price of Super Rice remained high throughout December, driven by heightened demand associated with the festive Christmas season. Grade One Tanzanian Super Rice was available at wholesale prices ranging from UGX 3,800 to UGX 4,000 per kilogram. The price for Super Rice remained consistently elevated since November, following the regulated supply that was registered from Tanzania after their national elections.. In certain rural district markets, particularly in the northern and eastern regions inaccessible to Tanzanian haulers, local varieties of Super Rice were offered at lower prices due to inferior quality. Meanwhile, some traders provided Kaiso rice at a significantly reduced rate. Other local varieties have also been made available at more economical price. In remote areas such as the Karamoja region, Super Rice recorded steep prices; for instance, it was priced at UGX 6,000 per kilogram within the Kaabong district market, with deliveries sourced from Mbale
At the regional border post of Busia, a notable increase in maize trading was observed, particularly towards the close of the year. The seasonal supply commenced at the onset of December, with an estimated daily supply ranging from 900 to 1,600 metric tons, subsequently transported across the border into Kenya. An exceptionally high demand for maize grain was recorded in the lead-up to Christmas, reaching daily volumes between 1,200 and 1,600 metric tons throughout the festive week. It is anticipated that the grain prices at this cross-border market will peak prior to mid-January 2026. Nonetheless, various traders have speculated that, given the impending elections in Uganda during January, it could be prudent to procure supplies from Uganda at the earliest opportunity. Good quality maize grain was acquired at Ksh. 42-43 (Ugx. 1,176-1,204/kg).
An abundance of beans was initially harvested. In December, a slight reduction in supply was observed across several markets. Consequently, the bean prices registered a gradual increas as stockists opted to retain their stocks. At the Produce Border market in Busia, the volumes supplied dwindled in the final week of the year to an estimated 900MT daily, down from 1500MT. The price of yellow beans, particularly favored by consumers, was recorded at Ksh.98 (Ugx.2,744/Kg), while Nambale beans were priced at Ksh.86 (Ugx.2,408/Kg). Mixed beans and Kanyebwa/Rosecoco were available at an identical price of Ksh.68 (Ugx.1,904/Kg), and Wailimu Red beans were offered at Ksh.73 (Ugx.2,044/Kg).
Other markets also registered increasing beans price during the month of December and higher prices are expected in Janauary as institutions such as schools stock for the opening term.
Commodity prices have surged in the Karamoja region, where the onset of the dry season is beginning to impact the local community. Unexpected rainfall has occurred in some parts of the region, notably in Kaabong District. The market in Kaabong typically reports the highest commodity prices in the region due to steep transportation costs. Maize and beans were supplied from Mbale, where the second seasonal harvest for several commodities has commenced. Beans were priced at Ugx 5,000 per kilogram, while maize and sorghum were offered at Ugx 1,715 and Ugx 1,428 per kilogram, respectively. In summary, Nabilatuk District reported elevated prices for maize and beans, ranging from Ugx 1,200 per kilogram to Ugx 4,200-7,500 per kilogram, respectively. Moroto District, the administrative center of the region, recorded maize grain prices at Ugx 1,350 per kilogram.
The regional border produce hub at Busia, as of November, registered a substantial influx of beans being transported to Kenya. Approximately 900 metric tons of various bean varieties were delivered to Kenya throughout the month of December. Other commodities that garnered demand included dry cassava at Ugx. 840/kg, millet at Ugx. 2,380/kg, sorghum at Ugx. 1,400/kg, soybeans at Ugx. 1,900/kg, green grams at Ugx. 2,240/kg, groundnuts at Ugx. 6,200-6,300/kg, and sesame at Ugx. 3,700-3,800/kg.
Cooking bananas (Matooke) which is a delicacy in the central region was offered at an elevated price this December in Kampala ad other urban markets due to reduced supply from the greater Mbarara sub region. Additional supply from the eastern region (Kapchorwa/Mbale) that matures during the Christmas festive season did not register the usual supply. Matooke bunches were offered at Ugx.25000-70,000 contingent upon their size and quality; nevertheless, a notable surge in the purchase price of Matooke and other fresh commodities, such as Irish potatoes, was recorded.
