Lango cocoa farmers assured of global market
Cocoa is gradually becoming an important agricultural export crop in Uganda, grown in various districts...
LIRA CITY, January 6, 2025 – – Cocoa farmers in the Lango Subregion have been reassured of access to a global market for their produce.
This assurance was made days ago during a meeting at the Apostolic Centre in Lira City, where the Upper Nile Organic Cocoa Cooperative Limited hosted ICAM Chocolate Uganda Limited, one of the largest buyers of cocoa in Uganda. The event aimed to educate farmers on producing high-quality cocoa.
Cocoa is gradually becoming an important agricultural export crop in Uganda, grown in various districts, including Bundibugyo, Mukono, Kayunga, Jinja, Iganga, Mayuge, Buikwe, Masindi, Dokolo, Apac, and others.
The crop thrives in Uganda’s tropical climate, which is hot and humid, with average annual temperatures of 30–32°C and rainfall between 1,500–2,000 mm. Cocoa grows best in shaded environments.
The most common varieties of cocoa grown in Uganda are Amazon, Trinitaria, and Amelanedro, known for their large beans and high yields.
Fabio Giomo, Executive Director of ICAM Chocolate Uganda Ltd, reassured cocoa farmers that there is a significant and growing global market for Ugandan cocoa. He confirmed that Uganda is benefiting from this market, with the country offering competitive prices for cocoa beans.
“I am here to confirm that the global cocoa market is expanding, and Uganda is benefiting from it. The market is available to cocoa farmers because Uganda is producing high-quality cocoa beans,” Giomo said.
However, Giomo emphasised that regulations need to be enforced to maintain the quality of cocoa beans entering the global market.
“There will likely be a need for regulations to ensure the quality of the cocoa beans meets international standards,” Giomo added.
Benson Otim, General Secretary of the Upper Nile Organic Farmers Cooperative Society Limited based in Lira City, agreed with Giomo, highlighting that cocoa is fetching good prices on the global market, especially when grown organically. He said that organic cocoa offers Ugandan farmers a competitive edge due to increasing demand.
“Our cocoa is organic, which makes it highly sought after. There is a growing demand for organic cocoa, particularly in EU markets, as global production has decreased,” Otim explained. Ivory Coast and Ghana remain the world’s largest cocoa producers.
Currently, the price of cocoa per kilogramme in Uganda is Shs 28,000, with Otim anticipating further price increases. “We expect cocoa prices to keep rising, which is excellent news for our farmers,” he said.
Martin Ogwang, a cocoa farmer from Atongtidi Subcounty and an advisor at the Upper Nile Organic Cocoa Cooperative Limited, encouraged locals to embrace cocoa farming as a way to lift themselves out of poverty.
Jovino Ayumu Akaki, a resident of Ibuje Subcounty in Apac district, stated that the future of Lango Subregion lies in the cultivation of perennial crops like cocoa.
“The future of Lango depends on growing perennial crops, which provide higher incomes for households. Let’s embrace cocoa farming and bulking, as bulking ensures better prices for farmers,” he said.
Dorcus Alum, the Principal Agricultural Officer for Lira district, also urged farmers to adopt the cultivation of perennial crops such as cocoa and coffee, noting that they have the potential to significantly improve their livelihoods.
“Let’s embrace cocoa and coffee farming. In just three years, our stories can change,” she said.
Cocoa farming is considered a climate-smart agricultural practice, as it replenishes nutrients in the soil and provides shade and aesthetic value to gardens and homes.
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