Uganda’s Fresh Produce Export Industry Tackles Growing Interceptions

Uganda’s fresh fruits and vegetables export sector has been grappling with an increase in interceptions, threatening the industry’s growth and its access to international markets. The interceptions, caused by harmful organisms, chemical residues, and documentation errors, have impacted various crops, including capsicums, hot peppers, garden eggs, Karella among others.

To combat these challenges, HortiFresh in collaboration with the Ministery of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries with support from GiZ worked on project titled “Response to the Rise of Interceptions for Uganda’s Fresh Fruits & Vegetables (FFV) Export Products.” The primary goal of the project was to create awareness and reduce the number of interceptions of Uganda’s fresh produce destined for regional and European markets.

The initiative also aimed at building capacity of the key stakeholders in the FFV sector, including farmers, agronomists, export company directors, spray service providers, agro-input dealers, and agriculture students.

While addressing members of the press on rising awareness on compliance issues to reduce interceptions held at HortiFresh offices in Mengo, Dr. Nankinga Caroline the Assistant Commissioner  in the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries – Department of Crop Inspection and Certification acknowledged the challenge of tracking farmers and commodities from the farmer to the exit point and sometimes to the foreign market.

She said that MAAIF is tackling this by transitioning from a manual system to digital .“From now moving forward, all protocols related to crop certification will be digitalized, from the farmers’ particulars to the airport for export,” she stated, she also urges Hortifresh to carry out more regular trainings for the people in the value chain recognizing that there was an impact for the previously organized engagements.

“While the government regulates the export sector, we need substantial support to promote exports and improve the future of this vital industry,” remarked Michael Owino, Director of Tropical Dynasty one of the long service ffv exporting companies.

Prisca Beesigomwe, Head of Operations at HortiFresh, who represented GiZ pointed out the importance of creating awareness about the challenges facing Uganda’s fresh fruits and vegetable export sector. “Export issues in the international market are a responsibility of every stakeholder in the value chain. Our combined efforts will reduce these occurrences and improve the quality of our exports,” She said.

On the same occasion, Hon. Victoria Ssekitoleko, the former minister for Agriculture, applauded HortiFresh for its continuous efforts in promoting fruits and vegetable exports. She further advised farmers and exporters to equip themselves with knowledge and marketing skills to benefit in the export business due to the fact that all customers abroad the negotiations are in English.

The project focuses on two of Uganda’s most exported products, capsicums (hot peppers and chili) and white garden eggs, which have been particularly affected by interceptions. The initiative covers key regions, including Luwero, Mukono, Wakiso, and Buikwe in the central part of the country, as well as Ntungamo, Mbarara, Rukungiri, and Kanungu in the western region. By working closely with farmers in these areas, HortiFresh aims to ensure that the fresh fruits and vegetables meet the stringent standards of the international markets.