Uganda Fruit Boom Set to Flood Global Markets

Uganda builds new storage rooms to keep fruits and vegetables fresh for export sales. The country earns 50 to 100 million dollars each year from selling fresh produce abroad. Government leaders want to grow this business to one billion dollars through better storage and shipping methods. Cold storage facilities at Entebbe Airport can hold 500 tons of food daily. Private companies help run these modern refrigerated warehouses.

Several private businesses also operate cold storage centers across Uganda. These companies store an extra 150 tons of fresh produce each day. The government plans to build two more regional storage centers that will hold 200 tons daily. A new 50-ton facility will open at Entebbe Airport next year with European Union funding. These projects will help farmers lose less food after harvest and earn more money.

Major General David Kasura-Kyomukama leads agriculture policy for Uganda. He says the new storage buildings will change how farmers sell their crops. Better storage helps Uganda compete against other countries that export fresh food. The improvements let farmers ship their products to Europe and Middle East markets. Uganda wants to become a major supplier of fresh fruits and vegetables around the world.