Soroti Fruits Limited begins processing local mangoes

SOROTI, May 26, 2025 –– Soroti Fruit Processing Factory, operated by Soroti Fruits Limited, has commenced the processing of local mangoes. The factory has initially purchased 50 tonnes of mangoes from farmers in the Teso Sub-region, as part of the 150,000 tonnes anticipated during the season.

Julius Martin Ekomu, the Chief Executive Officer of Soroti Fruits Limited, announced on last Monday that the factory is buying mangoes at Shs 300 a kilo to boost farmers’ incomes.
“We made a commitment to buy local mangoes last year, and today, we are fulfilling that promise,” said Ekomu.

He added that the factory has allocated between Shs 45 million and Shs 50 million for mango procurement, with the possibility of increasing the budget as demand grows.

The factory, which produces Teju Juice, sources its fruit exclusively from registered farmer groups. Ekomu encouraged the public to consume Teju Juice as a way of supporting local agriculture and industry.

Meanwhile, Soroti City Mayor, Joshua Edogu, praised the factory for prioritising local produce over imports, which he said had previously disadvantaged Ugandan farmers.
“The decision to import fruit in the past served external producers while denying market access to our own,” Edogu remarked.

He pledged to mobilise local farmers to cultivate more mangoes and urged residents to support the initiative by consuming Teju Juice, which he described as delicious.

Communities in the Teso Sub-region have welcomed the development, expressing hope that it will improve household incomes and reduce post-harvest losses.

Samuel Ariko, a resident of Gweri Sub-county, noted that the factory provides a stable market for their produce, thereby insulating farmers from price volatility.
“This processor offers a reliable market, reducing the risks associated with fluctuating prices,” Ariko said.

He added that the factory would help reduce food waste by purchasing mangoes that might otherwise rot due to lack of market access.

Simon Obwolo, another farmer from the region, sold 1,425 kilogrammes of mangoes harvested from just three trees, earning Shs 213,700.
“This is the first time I’ve earned anything from my mango trees,” said a jubilant Obwolo. “I will protect my trees now.”
He encouraged fellow farmers to preserve their mango trees to maximise future yields.

As operations expand, the factory is expected to have a significant ripple effect on the local economy, potentially creating employment opportunities, encouraging entrepreneurship, and spurring agricultural innovation.

The success of the mango processing initiative at Soroti Fruit Factory may serve as a model for similar agricultural ventures in other regions, attracting further investment and development.

The establishment of the factory in Arapai Industrial Park in Arapai Sub-county, Soroti district, was a collaborative effort by the Government of Uganda, the Korea International Cooperation Agency [KOICA], and the Teso Tropical Fruit Growers Cooperative Union [TETFGCU]. It was founded to capitalise on the Teso Sub-region’s abundant citrus production and high per-tree yields.

The government provided land, infrastructure, and utilities for the project, while KOICA contributed US$ 7.4 million for equipment and training, and also oversaw the construction of the facility. TETFGCU is tasked with supplying the fruit for processing, focusing on citrus and mangoes as the primary raw materials.

https://thecooperator.news/soroti-emyooga-sacco-leaders-tasked-with-recovering-funds/

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