Uganda Exports High-Quality Canned Pineapples to China

Uganda has taken a significant step in its agricultural export strategy with the dispatch of 140 metric tonnes of premium canned pineapples to the Chinese market. This inaugural shipment, processed by Deshiburg Fruits International Co. Ltd., marks a crucial achievement in the nation’s agro-industrialization efforts.

The canned pineapples are a product of the China-Uganda Agriculture Cooperation Industrial Park (CUACIP), a joint venture aimed at boosting value addition in Uganda’s agricultural sector. Deshiburg Fruits International, a subsidiary under the Kehong Group, operates a factory within the park, specifically located in Luwero, a prime pineapple-growing region.

This initiative is the first of its kind in Uganda, featuring a dedicated canned pineapple factory that utilizes the Smooth Cayenne variety, known for its natural sweetness and processed without artificial preservatives. The factory boasts a daily processing capacity of up to 500 tonnes of locally sourced pineapples.

The export consignment represents a successful transition from raw produce to high-value processed goods, aligning with Uganda’s National Development Plan and meeting strict international quality standards. It also validates the CUACIP’s out-grower model, which supports over 1,500 local farmers by providing a consistent market for their pineapples.

Speaking at the flagging-off ceremony, Uganda’s Minister of Agriculture, Frank Tumwebaze, emphasized that the factory’s establishment addresses the long-standing issue of market access for perishable goods and stimulates increased pineapple cultivation. He urged farmers to engage in intentional farming to meet the growing demand from agro-industries.

This development is a tangible outcome of the agricultural cooperation between Uganda and China, highlighting the vast investment opportunities within Uganda’s agricultural sector. The nation’s ample arable land presents significant potential for further agricultural development and export growth.

Source: Uganda Investment Authority