Vanilla earns $9m
Feb 10, 2003
VANILLA, one of the much sought after spices in the world market, fetched $9.4m (about sh17.5b) from the 70 tonnes exported last year.
By Macrines Nyapendi
VANILLA, one of the much sought after spices in the world market, fetched $9.4m (about sh17.5b) from the 70 tonnes exported last year.
The USAID-funded Investments in Developing Exports in Agriculture (IDEA) project annual report lists vanilla as the most valuable product in the high-value crop category.
Uganda is one of the few countries recognised for exporting natural vanilla.
“Vanilla did well last year and we are anticipating better earnings in the sub-sector. In 2001 vanilla earnings were at $5.72m; our target was to hit the $10m in 2002,†said a source who preferred anonymity.
He said: “Our vanilla is of good quality. Madagascar and the Comoros flood the market with quantity but we send quality.â€
The ‘Plant more vanilla’ campaign is still going on and over 20,000 farmers have taken to the spice in the growing districts. The campaign will soon be launched in Nakasongola district.
However, farmers have complained that due to the relatively high prices on the international market, unscrupulous people have been stealing the immature variety and then selling it. This has often compromised Uganda’s ability to export a quality crop.
Vanilla is used mainly in the confectionary industry worldwide. Especially ice creams, chocolates and cakes. It grows as a small bean in pods.
Mukono is the leading local growing district for vanilla.
The total non-traditional cash crop earnings have grown from $30.07m in 2001 to $40.98m in 2002.
The growth has been attributed to the increased technical and market research availed to farmers and exporters by IDEA project.
Fresh produce fetched $4.44m, cocoa $4.97m, roses and other cuttings $21.23m. However, papain and other high value fresh produce earnings dropped.
The IDEA project offers technical support to over 10 non-traditional cash crops all over the country. Some farmers have also gone into chillies exports.
VANILLA, one of the much sought after spices in the world market, fetched $9.4m (about sh17.5b) from the 70 tonnes exported last year.
The USAID-funded Investments in Developing Exports in Agriculture (IDEA) project annual report lists vanilla as the most valuable product in the high-value crop category.
Uganda is one of the few countries recognised for exporting natural vanilla.
“Vanilla did well last year and we are anticipating better earnings in the sub-sector. In 2001 vanilla earnings were at $5.72m; our target was to hit the $10m in 2002,†said a source who preferred anonymity.
He said: “Our vanilla is of good quality. Madagascar and the Comoros flood the market with quantity but we send quality.â€
The ‘Plant more vanilla’ campaign is still going on and over 20,000 farmers have taken to the spice in the growing districts. The campaign will soon be launched in Nakasongola district.
However, farmers have complained that due to the relatively high prices on the international market, unscrupulous people have been stealing the immature variety and then selling it. This has often compromised Uganda’s ability to export a quality crop.
Vanilla is used mainly in the confectionary industry worldwide. Especially ice creams, chocolates and cakes. It grows as a small bean in pods.
Mukono is the leading local growing district for vanilla.
The total non-traditional cash crop earnings have grown from $30.07m in 2001 to $40.98m in 2002.
The growth has been attributed to the increased technical and market research availed to farmers and exporters by IDEA project.
Fresh produce fetched $4.44m, cocoa $4.97m, roses and other cuttings $21.23m. However, papain and other high value fresh produce earnings dropped.
The IDEA project offers technical support to over 10 non-traditional cash crops all over the country. Some farmers have also gone into chillies exports.