Uganda Launches Historic Canned Pineapple Exports to China

Pineapple harvests in Uganda’s Luwero District once spelled anxiety for farmers like Jane Nakandi, when simultaneous ripening often led to spoilage or drastically reduced prices. However, a new era of opportunity has dawned with the establishment of Deshiburg Fruits International Ltd., a canned pineapple processing factory. This development marks a pivotal shift for Ugandan agriculture, moving beyond the export of raw produce to competing on the global stage with value-added goods.

On May 14, 2026, Uganda celebrated a milestone with the inaugural export of 104 metric tonnes of canned pineapple to China. This landmark shipment signifies a deeper structural change, transitioning from volatile raw commodity markets to more stable international value chains. For farmers like Nakandi, who has expanded her farm significantly, this means earlier income streams as the factory purchases fruit much sooner after planting than traditional systems allowed.

The factory, a joint venture between Chinese and international food industry partners, is situated within the China-Uganda Agricultural Cooperation Industrial Park. It processes the Smooth Cayenne variety, known for its sweetness, without artificial preservatives. This project is seen as a prime example of South-South cooperation, fostering investment and technology transfer. Over 1,500 farmers are now linked to the factory through an outgrower scheme, boosting rural incomes and reducing post-harvest losses.

This agro-industrialization initiative aligns with Uganda’s National Development Plan IV and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. Beyond exports, it enhances skills in international standards for agro-processing, food safety, and quality control, preparing farmers and processors for modern agricultural markets. The success of Deshiburg Fruits International demonstrates that with strategic partnerships and value addition, Uganda is poised to significantly enhance its agricultural sector and integrate more deeply into global markets, bringing stability and prosperity to farming communities.

Link to the original story: https://ugandainvest.go.ug/a-harvest-once-meant-losses-ugandas-pineapple-farmers-break-into-global-markets