Cocoa Prices Reach New Heights
Cocoa farmers in the Busoga Sub-region are celebrating as the prices of cocoa have tripled over the past few months. This surge in prices, from Shs8,000 per kilogram last year to between Shs27,000 and Shs31,000 this year across various districts, has brought renewed optimism among farmers who have long grappled with low cocoa prices.
Chairperson of the Jinja District Cocoa Growers Association, Mr. Michael Zagenda, expressed his delight at the unprecedented rise in cocoa prices. Recalling his decades-long involvement in cocoa farming since 1968, Mr. Zagenda remarked that such favorable prices had never been witnessed before. Previously averaging between Shs8,000 to Shs8,500 per kilogram, cocoa beans are now fetching between Shs26,000 and Shs27,000.
Attributing this surge to heightened international demand for cocoa products, Mr. Zagenda’s sentiments echo those of fellow farmers, such as Ms. Sarah Nabirye from Jinja District. While welcoming the price increase, Ms. Nabirye emphasized the need for further escalation to offset the high production costs incurred in planting and harvesting cocoa beans.
Similarly, Mr. George Bogere, chairperson of cocoa farmers in Kamuli District, noted a substantial increase in prices, with a kilogram now valued at Shs20,000 compared to Shs8,000 last year. He highlighted the influx of new farmers joining cocoa cultivation due to the promising returns, underscoring cocoa’s role in fostering crop diversification within the region.
In Mayuge District, Senior Agricultural Officer Mr. Emanuel Waiswa Kawuzi shed light on the factors driving the surge in cocoa prices. With dry fermented cocoa beans now commanding Shs31,000 per kilogram, Mr. Kawuzi pointed to the rising global consumption of cocoa products like chocolate, cocoa butter, and cocoa milk. However, he raised concerns over increased theft of cocoa pods and emphasized the need for expanded production to meet growing demand.
Acknowledging the challenges faced by cocoa farmers, Mr. Kawuzi called for enhanced regulatory measures akin to those governing the coffee sector. He advocated for the establishment of a dedicated regulatory body and urged the government to allocate resources and formulate policies to support cocoa production.
Mayuge District boasts a substantial cocoa farming community, with over 12,000 farmers, followed closely by Jinja and Kamuli districts. As cocoa emerges as a lucrative venture in Busoga, farmers are optimistic about its potential to uplift livelihoods and drive economic growth in the region.
