March 24, 2004

Uganda's 2003 Corn Output Up 9.4%
 
Uganda's corn production in 2003 rose 9.4% due primarily to a campaign directed at getting farmers to increase output to raise export volumes, a trade official said.
 
"Our campaign is paying off," John Magnay, chairman of Uganda Grain Traders Ltd., said Tuesday. "We carried out a vigorous campaign for more production to benefit from better prices arising from increased exports."
 
Magnay said Uganda produced 580,000 metric tons of corn in 2003 compared with 530,000 tons a year earlier.
 
Uganda's annual domestic corn consumption is estimated at 400,000 metric tons, and any surplus is normally exported.
 
He said Uganda exported 180,000 tons of corn mainly to neighboring Kenya and Tanzania, up from around 130,000 tons in 2002 due to the increase in production. The new export estimate is 20% above the preliminary figure of 150,000 tons.
 
Magnay said 100,000 tons were exported by major dealers while 80,000 tons crossed the borders informally.
 
He said production this year is forecast at 600,000 tons due to anticipated good weather, and exports are seen at 200,000 metric tons.
 
Corn is a major Ugandan food crop, but authorities are also promoting it for export to boost farmers' incomes. Uganda Grain Traders is a consortium of 16 grain exporters formed three years ago to promote corn and bean exports when annual export volumes hovered at 25,000-45,000 tons.