UGANDA – Uganda has marked a significant milestone in its agricultural trade by signing two crucial export agreements with China.
The protocols, finalized during the 9th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held in Beijing in September 2024, will enable Uganda to export dried chilies and wild aquatic products to China, one of the world’s largest consumer markets.
The agreements were signed between Uganda’s Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (MAAIF) and the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC).
The first protocol concerns wild aquatic products such as Nile perch fillets, fish maw, and silverfish, while the second focuses on dried chilies, marking Uganda’s entry into China’s vast chili market.
Frank Tumwebaze, Uganda’s Minister of Agriculture, hailed the deal as a “significant leap forward” for the country’s agricultural sector, highlighting that it will open doors for local traders to access a high-demand market.
“This development will boost foreign exchange earnings and help balance our trade relations with China,” Tumwebaze remarked during the announcement.
Before these agreements, Uganda faced challenges in exporting both categories of products to China due to stringent international standards.
For instance, Uganda had struggled to export dried chilies, as regulations required scientific assessments to ensure that exotic pests were not introduced into China.
Tumwebaze revealed that a scientific evaluation was conducted, and mitigation measures were agreed upon, clearing the path for the chili exports.
Regarding aquatic products, Uganda’s fish exports had often reached China through informal channels, leading to inefficiencies and missed revenue opportunities.
With the new agreement, wild aquatic products will now pass through official trade routes, ensuring they meet Chinese health and safety standards.
These protocols are expected to have a transformative impact on Uganda’s agricultural exports. With China’s population of 1.4 billion people, the agreements represent a significant opportunity for Ugandan producers and exporters.
Tumwebaze stressed that Ugandan exporters will now be recognized by Chinese customs authorities, allowing for smoother trade processes and eliminating the need for unofficial channels.
To facilitate compliance, MAAIF has outlined specific procedures for Ugandan exporters. Companies interested in exporting these products must register with GACC and undergo a compliance audit. MAAIF has also committed to establishing a task unit dedicated to assisting exporters in meeting these new standards.
In addition to chilies and aquatic products, Uganda is negotiating further export protocols with China for other agricultural goods such as avocado, meat, and castor oil.
Tumwebaze expressed optimism that these negotiations will further strengthen trade ties between the two countries.
The agreements, according to industry analysts, will significantly benefit Uganda’s fisheries sector, which plays a vital role in the country’s economy.
The fisheries industry is projected to reach a revenue of approximately US$1.13 billion in 2024, with an annual growth rate of 8.64% over the next five years.
Currently, around 1.5 million Ugandans are involved in the fisheries industry, contributing to both local consumption and export markets.
As Uganda positions itself as a key player in China’s agricultural imports, the export of wild aquatic products and chilies is expected to boost foreign exchange earnings and provide new growth opportunities for local farmers and traders.
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