Imported juice robs local makers of sh22b
Oct 25, 2010
LOCAL juice makers lost about sh22b last year to the imported juice market, a local researcher has said. Kennedy Ssejjemba, who is co-ordinating research on the pineapple value chain under the Round Table Africa programme, noted that Ugandans preferred juice imported from Kenya and South Africa to l
By D. Ssempijja and P. Tentena
LOCAL juice makers lost about sh22b last year to the imported juice market, a local researcher has said. Kennedy Ssejjemba, who is co-ordinating research on the pineapple value chain under the Round Table Africa programme, noted that Ugandans preferred juice imported from Kenya and South Africa to locally-produced brands, hence the loss.
“The Government should increase 25% tax on imported juice to protect local manufacturers,†said Ssejjemba during a pineapple sector stakeholders meeting at the Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala recently.
Pineapple exporters also asked the Government to subsidise freight charges for pineapples and other perishable goods.
“We pay $2.5 to transport a kilogramme of pineapples to Europe. This is too much for a local producer.
“The Government should come out and subsidise the fees,†noted John Ssempebwa, a trade consultant.
Ssejjemba added that Uganda exports 300 tonnes of pineapples every year, earning just 200,000 euros (about 700m).
Uganda produces 1,600 tonnes of pineapple each year.
LOCAL juice makers lost about sh22b last year to the imported juice market, a local researcher has said. Kennedy Ssejjemba, who is co-ordinating research on the pineapple value chain under the Round Table Africa programme, noted that Ugandans preferred juice imported from Kenya and South Africa to locally-produced brands, hence the loss.
“The Government should increase 25% tax on imported juice to protect local manufacturers,†said Ssejjemba during a pineapple sector stakeholders meeting at the Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala recently.
Pineapple exporters also asked the Government to subsidise freight charges for pineapples and other perishable goods.
“We pay $2.5 to transport a kilogramme of pineapples to Europe. This is too much for a local producer.
“The Government should come out and subsidise the fees,†noted John Ssempebwa, a trade consultant.
Ssejjemba added that Uganda exports 300 tonnes of pineapples every year, earning just 200,000 euros (about 700m).
Uganda produces 1,600 tonnes of pineapple each year.