Uganda: Plans to start growing organic chillies

Outspan Agric Ltd is a Uganda-based company, founded in 1977, which is devoted to the production and export of both conventional and organic products to a number of countries all over the world. “Currently, the organic range consists only of sesame seeds while our conventional range includes products like cocoa beans, chillies or ginger,” states Director Kenneth Kayondo.

Regarding the chillies, the main variety is the Red Birdseye, but they also supplies others, like the Scotch Bonnet and Habanero, to the fresh market. The main chilli season lasts from December to March-April and exports go mainly to Germany and the UK. “We are now focusing on expanding with sunflowers; however, last year I contracted growers to produce about 150 MT. Currently, the plant is to distribute the seedlings in October and these should be ready for trading from mid-2017. It will be an organic product, as well,” affirms Kayondo.



He explains that the key to planning for future seasons is to take into account that growers will only plant products for which they are sure to obtain a good return. “In the past, we had a steady supply of chillies, until several other companies ventured into offering this product. The following year, the Madagascar crop did quite well and prices on the world market fell considerably for the Ugandan chillies which are not considered Grade A. Many farmers were not happy with what they were getting and destroyed their crops to make way for another crop.” Ever since, the demand has grown again steadily, so growers are going back to chilli production.



In the past, the government has organized programs to support fresh chillies. Yet, last year, there was a ban imposed by the European Union on fresh chillies from Uganda. “Growers have been working mainly on improving the conditions which resulted in that ban. Growers are also said to be working hard to correct such issues,” says Kayondo.