There was a stable price reported at the border market for maize at the opening of the month of June which gradually increased into the month. An estimated 1500-1800MT of grain was bought off by the Kenyan traders that turned up at Busia Border Produce market. This was after the reduction of supply of Tanzanian maize to Kenya which rendered Uganda maize cheaper to the Kenyan traders that forced them back into this market. Good quality maize was offered at Ugx.849/kg (Ksh.29) while the least acceptable maize quality was bought off at Ugx.791/kg (Ksh.27).
Fast trading was reported mid-month at an estimated 1000-1800Mt daily. A huge stock pile of maize grain was dropped on the border post market of Busia. Several transit traders from Kenya purchased good quality grain at the same price of Ugx.849/kg (Ksh29).
In the final week of the month, newly harvested maize grain was delivered to Busia and two offer prices for grain were reported. Old stock maize was purchased at a reduced price of Ugx.748/kg(Ksh.26) while newly harvested maize was offered at Ugx.690/kg (Ksh.24). Traders claimed to have lost a lot of money in the just concluded season where a bumper harvest was realized. The northern region stocked more maize compared to other regions that delivered to the same market. Production estimates indicate that there will be a reduced supply of grain due to weather constraints but also losses from the previous season.
The new seasonal maize grain was reported on the market in Kampala at Ugx.700-720/kg. Supply was delivered from Hoima, Kyankwanzi, Kibaale and Kiboga. Old stock maize grain was purchased at a high price of Ugx.770-780/kg depending on quality. This grain supply had an impact on the maize flour price low to Ugx.1400-1500/kg at wholesale Kisenyi/Owino price.
Maize was reported at the highest price of Ugx.800/kg in Kampala this season compared to last year where maize hit Ugx.1780/kg in the same market. Likewise, a stable price for grain was reported in Kampala for a few weeks at the beginning of the month. Slow trading for grain was registered in this market due to low demand for grain as a result of competition from other staples such as Matooke and plenty of maize grain from the just concluded season.
Indications of declining maize grain price started in the third week when new grain arrived at the Kampala market which registered two grain prices for old stock and new grain prices. New maize grain was offered at Ugx.720/kg while old stock grain dropped to Ugx.780/kg from Ugx.800/kg. Supply of newly harvested grain was first reported from Hoima, Kiboga and Kyankwanzi districts. There are indications of adverse effects of weather on the opening season and therefore less maize will be expected.
In other regional markets, a similar trend was observed with low price offers between Ugx.600-650/kg. Several farmers claim to have lost money in the previous season due to low demand which registered maize at a stable price. Arua and Kapchorwa registered higher prices of grain.
As more of the first seasonal beans supply got to Busia border produce market, price fluctuations were recorded for the beans varieties delivered. The final week recorded yellow and short Nambale beans demanded at the same price Ugx.(Ksh.121) while long Nambale cost Ugx.(Ksh.114), Wailimu at Ugx. (Ksh82), long mixed beans at Ugx.(Ksh.95) and small mixed beans at Ugx.(Ksh.78).
High demand for beans was registered at Busia Produce Border market throughout the month of June which registered a declining beans price. An estimated 1200-1400MT of assorted beans daily were purchased from the opening week. Volumes purchased at this market declined towards the end of the month to less than 700MT daily. Yellow beans were preferred at Ugx.3516/kg (Ksh.120) while Short Nambale beans cost Ugx.3457/kg (Ksh.118).
The quality of beans supplied in the first season crop 2024 were affected by weather conditions and less quantities are expected. This was observed in the price variations which did not drop as usual during harvest. Similar prices were registered mid-month and close of the month where Yellow beans cost Ugx.3513/kg (Ksh.122), Long Nambale at Ugx.3312/kg (Ksh.115), Wailimu beans at Ugx.2390/kg (Ksh.83) and Small beans at Ugx.2246/kg (Ksh.78). In the twist of events, Short Nambale was demanded most at Ugx. 3744/kg (Ksh.130).
Other commodities demanded at Busia included Cassava at Ugx.660/kg (KSh.23), Millet at Ugx.2390/kg (Ksh.83), Red sorghum at Ugx.1000/kg (KSh.35), White sorghum at Ugx.770/kg (Ksh.27), Groundnuts at Ugx.4895/kg (Ksh.170), Simsim at Ugx.6910/kg (Ksh.240) and Soya beans at Ugx.2360/kg (Ksh.82).
The seasonal supply for beans continued throughout the month of June and Kampala market received more beans from other production locations both in central and western regions. This supply was further redistributed into other regional markets such as the north and eastern regions where a late harvest for beans was registered.
Yellow and Short Nambale beans were preferred at Ugx.3600/kg and were supplied in plenty to Kampala. Other varieties such Large mixed beans (Omusingiriro) cost Ugx.2700/kg while Large Nambale at Ugx.3400/kg wholesale. This supply forced the Tanzanian supply off this market and volumes harvested increased during the month. Declining prices were registered for beans at the close of the month with Yellow and Short Nambale beans reducing to Ugx.3400-3500/kg. Other varieties that were harvested later such as Masavu beans cost Ugx.4000-4200/kg, Green beans at Ugx.3500-3600//kg, Small mixed beans at Ugx.2000-2400/kg and Large Nambale at Ugx.3200/kg wholesale price in Kampala.
During the month of June, notably very low Matooke prices were registered countrywide. Harvesting of Matooke in the western region registered an influx of supply to most major city markets. Prices dropped in Kampala to Ugx.5000-30,000 per bunch depending on size. In the production locations, Matooke purchase price dropped to Ugx.3000-10,000 per bunch. Farmers have lamented about the low price and would prefer to feed it with their cattle. Supply of Matooke from Kapchorwa together with Irish potatoes also started during the month of June. The dry season in several production locations is noted to have sparked off more supply of Matooke.
Plenty of Super rice was reported from Tanzania at averagely Ugx.4000/kg affecting the local Super price lower at Ugx.3500-3800/kg. Cheaper rice was sold in several markets due to mixing of varieties to maximize profit. Kaiso cost Ugx.2300/kg wholesale. Harvesting of Super rice in the eastern region especially Bugisu and Busoga regions started during the month rendering reduced prices of the market.
Farmgain Africa.