The month of July started with reduced volumes of maize and indications of newly harvested maize getting to the regional market of Busia. Only an estimated 30-40MT were delivered daily at the start of the month. Old stock maize was received from Lira while newly harvested maize was delivered from Hoima. Maize was offered at two prices. Old stock maize at Ugx.855/kg (Ksh.29.5) while newly harvested maize at Ugx.826/kg (Ksh.28.5).
There was low maize demand at the border post mid-month because the grain market in Kenya registered some maize from within, however, new maize was registered at a higher price of Ugx.1054-1084/kg (Ksh.36-38) at the border post market. Likewise the old stock maize increased to Ugx.1113/kg (KSh.38).
The grain price later declined to Ugx.929/kg (KSh.32.5). Some supply was also reported crossing via Sirari from Tanzania.
At the close of the month, very low maize demand was reported at the border produce market because Kenya is harvesting some maize rendering Uganda maize price slightly higher. Cheaper maize was reported from Tanzania via Sirari border post to the Kenyan market. The grain price at Busia dropped to Ugx.883 /kg (Ksh.31).
Reducing volumes of beans at Busia Border market were recorded in the opening week of July at an estimated 500MT per day. Yellow beans were preferred at Ugx.3480-3538/kg (Ksh.120-122). Other varieties demanded at the border market included Nambale at Ugx.3335/kg (Ksh.115), Wailimu at Ugx.2465/kg (Ksh.85), mixed beans from Kisoro at Ugx.2842/kg (Ksh.98) and Small seeded beans at Ugx.2320/kg (Ksh.80).
Mid-month, volumes and prices reduced further to only 200MT daily with Yellow beans most preferred at Ugx.3516/kg (Ksh.118), long Nambale at Ugx.3164/kg (Ksh.110), Wailimu beans at the same price of Ugx.2490//kg (Ksh.85), Rosecoco beans at Ugx.3809/kg (Ksh.130), mixed beans at Ugx.2344/kg (Ksh.80).
In a twist of events, beans price at Busia-Uganda was recorded higher than the beans price in Kenya. Reports indicated that Kenya was receiving beans from Ethiopia. Long Nambale from Kenya cost Ugx.3117/kg (Ksh.109), Wailimu at Ugx.2288/kg (Ksh.80) and Mwitemania beans at Ugx.2516/kg (KSh.88).
Very low trading for beans was recorded at Busia border post and Ethiopian beans were delivered on the Ugandan market in the final week. Approximately 600-700MT of Ethiopian beans were delivered on the Ugandan market daily and distributed to Teso region and Kampala Central market.
Notable on this market was millet supply from Malawi.
Other commodities demanded by the Kenyan transit traders at Busia produce hub included red sorghum at Ugx.1015/kg (Ksh.35), white sorghum at Ugx.812/kg (Ksh.28), millet and soya bean at Ugx.2436/kg (Ksh.84), cassava at Ugx.638/kg (Ksh.22), groundnuts at Ugx.5220/kg (Ksh.180), simsim at Ugx.6960/kg (Ksh.240) and green grams at Ugx.2175/kg (Ksh.75).
Mid-month, cassava declined to Ugx.586/kg (Ksh.20), groundnuts increased to Ugx.6153/kg (Ksh.210) while simsim increased to Ugx.7471/kg (Ksh.255).
Trading was recorded between Busia and Kisumu, Bungoma, Kakamega and Emali.
Maize grain was offered at two prices in Kampala at the beginning of the month indicating the opening of the first seasonal harvest 2024. New maize was offered at Ugx.930/kg in the opening week while old stock maize fluctuated between Ugx.980/kg and Ugx.1000/kg. Maize flour cost Ugx.1500/kg at wholesale in Kisenyi/Owino markets.
The grain price declined in the following week due to increased supply of grain to Ugx.820/kg. The grain price was recorded on the rise mid-month at Ugx.880-900/kg due to maize flour demand from South Sudanese traders. Maize flour increased to Ugx.80,000-85,000 per 50kg bag.
Fluctuating prices were registered in the final week of July in Kampala central markets. Kisenyi/Owino markets recorded grain at Ugx.850/kg while Nateete and Bbira grain markets recorded maize at 800/kg.
Good quality beans were supplied into Kampala’s markets at an increasing price. Yellow beans cost Ugx.3800-4000/kg while Nambale cost Ugx.3700-3800/kg in the opening week of July. A decline in the market price for beans was recorded in the week that followed. Large Nambale cost Ugx.330-340/kg while Short Nambale recorded Ugx.3600-3800/kg. Likewise, Yellow beans recorded a decline at Ugx.3600-3800/kg.
In the final week, there was a slight increase in the beans prices to; Large Nambale at Ugx.3600-3700/kg wholesale, short Nambale and Yellow beans at Ugx.3800-4000/kg.
Maize was averagely recorded at Ugx.700/kg at wholesale in the maize production areas. Not much was expected from this opening season for maize due to dry weather effects.
Some maize was recorded on the Ugandan market from Tanzania via Mutukula and sold in Masaka at Ugx.1000/kg. Maize was, likewise, offered at Ugx.1000/kg in Arua with supply coming from across the border of Bunia. New maize in Busoga was recorded at Ugx.700/kg mid-month. In Mubende and Masindi, new maize was offered at a high price of Ugx.700-800/kg due to reduced production in the area.
Trading intensified in Kamwenge at the close of the month with more Rwandan traders purchasing grain in the region.
Stockists continued to hold on to their beans stocks at the opening of July in expectation of a better price. Beans at the rural stores were recorded at Ugx.3000-3500/kg wholesale. Farmgain Africa.