Maize price registered very low changes during the month of October especially in the peri-urban locations, In Kampala major market, low demand for maize grain was reported specifically from the millers. In the countryside, similar trends were reported with maize grain offered at low market price between Ugx.900-1300/kg.
Low cross border trading we likewise reported at Busia-Uganda/Kenya border post because cheaper maize grain and cereals was delivered from Tanzania & Ethiopia respectively to Kenya. High beans price offers were registered in Arua, Nakapiripirit and Kabale where traditional grain production is low. The rainfall in several locations countrywide affected the quality of grain with high moisture content levels.
Some maize trading went on in the western region where transit traders from Rwanda purchased maize in Kyegegwa,Kyenjojo and Kamwenge and Ugx.1000 farmgate price.The local millers offered a better price at Ugx.1020/kg wholesale price.
Plenty of bean varieties reached the market from western and central regions where continued harvesting is taking place. Better beans price offers were reported in northern Uganda market in Arua, Gulu and Lira. New harvested beans were offered cheaper compared the old stock.New large Nambale beans cost Ugx.1500/kg, Yellow beans at Ugx.2400-2500/kg, Short Nambale at Ugx.2200-2300/kg and Sugar beans from Kabale/Rwanda at Ugx.3000/kg wholesale in Kampala.
Some beans varieties were also delivered from Kenya in cross border trade to the Ugandan market.
Super rice from Tanzania was offered at slightly higher price of Ugx.4200/kg during the month of October. Kaiso rice cost on arrange in Kampala at Ugx.3000/kg.
Plenty of Irish potatoes were offered for sale from Kapchorwa at a farmgate price of Ugx.800/kg and at Ugx.1000-1200/kg in Kapchorwa town but also supply was received from across the border from Kenya. Likewise cheaper maize grain was offered at Ugx.900-1000/kg through out the month in Kapchorwa. The Kenyan Irish potatoes was delivered to Kampala -Kisenyi and offered at Ugx.110,000-130,000 depending on the day’s supply. Higher irish potato price offer was reported in Kabale at Ugx.1500/kg w/s.
The average retail market price for dry maize in Uganda for the month of October was recorded at Ugx.1,538/kg. In comparison to the previous year’s wholesale prices for dry maize, the market experienced a seasonal apex of Ugx.1,391/kg and a seasonal low of Ugx.1,119/kg. Currently, arbitrage profitability is reported to be below average. Price variations are evident across different regions, with Nakapiripirit and Kabale districts exhibiting the highest prices at Ugx. 2,691/kg and Ugx. 1,630/kg, respectively, while Kapchorwa and Masindi districts reflect lower prices at Ugx. 890/kg and Ugx. 856/kg, respectively. Overall, market prices demonstrate regional disparities but remain relatively stable.
The national average market price stood at Ugx.1,538.00/kg, with forecasts suggesting a moderate escalation to Ugx.1,026.00/kg by mid-October, before stabilizing around 1,098/kg by the conclusion of November. Regional projections reveal a diverse pattern of price fluctuations throughout the country. The Kampala grain market is anticipated to increase by 17.5% ,Mbale at 11.1%, and Iganga at 3.7% . Conversely, declines are expected in Lira -28.3%, Gulu at -18.3%, and Soroti at -17.7%, with marginal decreases forecasted in Masindi -0.2% and Kabale -0.1%.
Uganda’s current seasonal price assessment for October 28, 2025, reveals that market prices exceed the five-year average by 413.00 UGX, indicating an anomalously low condition. The customary seasonal price for October is 1125.00 ±185.00 UGX, whereas the latest national average stands at 1538.00 UGX. Projections for the end of the month suggest a further adjustment toward 1098 UGX. The most egregious seasonal crisis conditions are presently observed in COUNTRY AVERAGE (+534.00 UGX), GULU (+529.00 UGX), and LIRA (+591.00 UGX), reflecting significantly elevated price levels in these regions. Over the long term, the current annual average remains 10.3% higher than the five-year seasonal average, underscoring the persistent elevation in prices.
The prices of soybeans stabilized promptly following the harvest in September, as the supply from Gulu and Masindi declined to Ugx. 1100-1500/kg at the wholesale level. Throughout October, soybean prices continued to decline in Kampala, reaching a wholesale price of Ugx. 1650/kg. Additionally, soybean prices in the production regions of Gulu and Masindi also stabilized at Ugx. 1500/kg.
The remote Karamoja subregion registered a lot of rainfall as usual. Cross-border trading attracted a number of traders at regional level particularly from Kenya via Amudat district and from Congo DRC via Arua and Abim districts through Bunia border post in search for sorghum.
Maize & Sorghum were offered at Ugx.1000/kg and Ugx.940-950/kg respectively. The seasonal harvest for grains was fair and no food stress was observed during October as stockists consolidated the seasonal yield confined rural stores. Beans from the seasonal harvest were also offered cheaper compared to September prices. Livestock prices are competitive due to Parish Development Model (PDM) cash support and campaigns money from candidates offering animals to win favours from voters in the January National Election.
Other commodity prices were stable and the region was generally peaceful in terms of security which has been the case for the last 3 years.
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