Uganda is strengthening its position as a key supplier of staple foods in East Africa, with rising regional demand driving up maize prices and reinforcing the country’s role in cross-border grain trade.
The latest AGRA Food Security Monitor shows that maize prices in Uganda increased from USD 390 to USD 412 per metric tonne between January and February 2026, reflecting firm regional demand and tightening supply across neighbouringmarkets.
This trend highlights Uganda’s growing importance in supplying maize to countries such as Kenya, South Sudan, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, where production has been affected by climate variability and structural supply constraints.
“Reliable market intelligence is essential for strengthening food systems and enabling farmers, traders, and policymakers to respond to emerging opportunities,” said Mr David Wozemba, AGRA Uganda Country Director. “The Food Security Monitor provides critical insights that support evidence-based interventions to improve productivity, stabilize markets, and expand regional trade.”
The report also highlights broader pressures affecting food systems across Africa, including climate variability, global market disruptions, and rising input costs. Global fertilizer markets, for example, continue to face price volatility due to geopolitical disruptions and supply chain constraints, factors that can significantly affect production costs and food prices across the continent.
Through its programmes in Uganda, AGRA works with government institutions, farmer organizations, and private sector partners to strengthen staple food value chains. This includes promoting improved seed varieties, enhancing grain aggregation and storage systems, supporting quality standards, and expanding access to regional markets.
These efforts contribute to Uganda’s broader national priorities under the National Development Plan (NDP IV), which identifies agriculture as a key driver of economic growth, food security, and regional trade.
As demand for staple foods continues to grow across East Africa, strengthening competitive and resilient value chains for maize, beans, and rice will be essential to ensuring reliable food supplies while creating new economic opportunities for farmers and agribusinesses.
The Food Security Monitor is a monthly analytical report produced by AGRA that tracks food security trends, commodity prices, and trade dynamics across Eastern, Southern, and West Africa. The publication supports policymakers and agricultural stakeholders with data and analysis to guide actions that strengthen food systems and build resilience. It provides critical insights that support policymakers, development partners, and private sector actors in shaping effective strategies to strengthen Africa’s food systems and regional food trade.
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