High grain market prices were recorded during the month of November in several district markets countrywide. The climax of the off-season period marking the end of the first season was reported at the opening of this month. Some maize production locations commenced their harvest leading to two maize grain offer prices in major markets during November.
In Kampala’s grain market, old stock maize grain was purchased at Ugx.1500/kg at wholesale while the newly harvested maize was offered at a lower price of Ugx.1250/kg. The grain market price fluctuated especially at the close of the month due to hoarding grain with the intention of maximizing profit that was short lived as supply of newly harvested maize intensified. The second week of November registered supply of maize to Kampala from Kapchorwa/Sironko at a reduced market price. The market price declined in the course of the month as more supply of new maize reached the market. In the final week of November, the grain market prices merged closer at Ugx.1150/kg and Ugx.1200/kg for newly harvested and old stocked maize respectively.
Maize supply was first registered from Kapchorwa/Sironko followed by supply from Busoga and later Hoima/Kiboga/Kyankwanzi. Corresponding reduced maize grain market prices were reported in these production locations where a very good yield is expected. Apart from Busoga sub region or the Eastern region production locations, the western and central region will most likely have a good maize harvest in the 2nd annual season harvest.
At the regional market, sluggish and low grain trading was registered during the month due to low demand especially at the main food hub market of Busia border post. The Kenyan maize grain demand from Uganda was affected by the increasing production especially from the Kitali harvest. The Rwandan traders winded up their purchase requirement before November mainly because of the increasing grain price. The Sudanese traders bought maize flour via Nimule cross border until the beginning of the month.
Very low volumes of maize were purchased from Busia Produce Border market formally and informally. A few tons crossed to nearby trading centers along the border on the Kenyan side. A reverse trend was reported at Busia border market later during the course of the month when maize grain was delivered from Kenya to Uganda yet Kenya is a net-importer and usually registers its grain price higher than Ugandans offer price. Maize was offered between Ugx.1133/kg. (Ksh.39.5) and Ugx.1148/kg (Ksh.40) depending on quality. The Ugandan maize grain harvest is expected at its highest in January.
Harvesting of millet started during the month of November in the northern region. Supply was delivered from Gulu, Lira at Ugx.2000/kg at wholesale. It was offered much cheaper in the northern region at an off-takers’ price. Sorghum had earlier been harvested in the extreme northern region of Karamoja during Sept/October and continued to be harvested in Kitgum and other Acholi sub-region districts during November. Some harvest was also registered in Busoga and part of the eastern region.
Plenty of fresh cassava and sweet potatoes were harvested and delivered to market during November. The volume of heap offered for resale increased to 3-4 kilos depending on supply and market.
Stable prices were registered for cooking banana (Matooke) as supply increased from the eastern region of Mbale and Kapchorwa in Kampala’s major markets where less matooke was delivered from the western region of greater Mbarara and Isingiro. A large bunch cost Ugx.20,000-35,000 depending on supply of the day.
Increasing beans prices were captured during November in Kampala markets. Plenty of a number of varieties were delivered to market at the onset of the month. Nambale and Rosecoco beans were offered at Ugx.2200/kg wholesale while Yellow beans at Ugx.3200/kg. Supply was registered from the major beans production locations of Hoima, Kiboga, Kyankwanzi, Kibaale and Mubende.
The beans prices gradually increased to Ugx.2700-2800/kg for a kilo of Nambale/Rosecoco at the close of the month while yellow beans were offered at Ugx.3500-3600/kg wholesale price in Kampala. In the rural production markets at district level, stockists purchased and stored the entire supply from the farmers and have since held on to their stock until next year when they expect better beans price offers.
An estimated 500-700Mt of assorted beans varieties were traded daily at Busia Border Produce market. The volumes of beans traded are expected to decline as less is delivered to market before February, however, other production locations in the northern region are also expected to harvest last after other regions which might influence the beans market price low before February. Yellow beans were preferred at Ugx.3550/kg (Ksh.125) while Nambale beans cost Ugx.3350/kg (Ksh.120). Other varieties such as Wailimu beans cost Ugx.2200/kg (Ksh.80/kg), Long Nambale beans at Ugx.2590/kg (Ksh.90) and soya beans at Ugx.2055/kg (Ksh.70) at the close of the month.
Farmgain Africa.