Maize exports earn sh147.2b in first five months of 2026

The highest monthly earnings in the period under review were recorded in February 2026, when maize exports brought in $10.01m (sh37.13b). Earnings stood at $7.91m (sh29.35b) in January, $7.30m (sh27.09b) in March, $7.05m (sh26.15b) in April and $7.40m (sh27.47b) in May.

Compared with the same months in 2025, export earnings were lower in January, March, April and May, with only February registering an improvement. During the corresponding period in 2025, maize exports earned $12.08m in January, $5.98m in February, $8.34m in March, $9.35m in April and $7.99m in May.

The Ministry of Finance reported that Uganda's total merchandise exports rose to $1.35b (sh4.99 trillion) in May 2026 from $1.19b (sh4.42 trillion) a year earlier, driven mainly by higher earnings from gold, tobacco, oil re-exports and electricity. While maize was not among the commodities driving the overall increase, it remains an important contributor to Uganda's agricultural export basket.

Despite the decline recorded during the first five months of the year, maize continues to play a significant role in Uganda's regional trade, with neighbouring East African markets remaining the principal destination for the country's grain exports.