Uganda Seeds Market Size
| Study Period | 2019 - 2029 |
| Base Year For Estimation | 2023 |
| Market Size (2024) | USD 8.25 Billion |
| Market Size (2029) | USD 10.23 Billion |
| CAGR (2024 - 2029) | 4.40 % |
| Market Concentration | Low |
Major Players
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
Uganda Seeds Market Analysis
The Uganda Seeds Market size is estimated at USD 8.25 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 10.23 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 4.40% during the forecast period (2024-2029).
- The seed industry in Uganda is characterized by the production and marketing of major and minor crop species ranging from agronomic crops to vegetables. The increasing crop production as a result of the developing agriculture sector in the country drives the market forward, coupled with the introduction and development of new seed varieties that cope with the climatic characteristics of the country.
- Moreover, the potential investment opportunities in the sector promote the growth of the sector and eventually the growth of the market. Investors consider Uganda's agricultural potential to be among the best in Africa, with low temperature variability, fertile soils, and two rainy seasons over much of the country-leading to multiple crop harvests per year. According to the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization, Uganda's fertile agricultural land has the potential to feed 200 million people. Eighty percent of Uganda's land is arable, but only 35% is being cultivated. The unexploited potential of the agriculture sector drives the market in the country, as seeds are the primary input for agriculture production.
Further, the Ugandan seed industry can be described as quite diverse, comprised of privately owned seed companies, ranging from small to medium-scale companies, and a few multinationals. Uganda's seed industry is fully privatized, with two distinct seed supply systems: the informal seed supply system and the formal system. The formal system, which is fully regulated and covers 20% of the market at present, is fast-growing and has registered local and international seed companies operating in this segment. Further, the National Seed Certification Service (NSCS) is the government entity under the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (MAAIF) responsible for certifying the seed varieties and regulating the seed sector in the region.
Uganda Seeds Market Trends
Government Support to the Seed Industry
The government favors the development of the market in the country. The National Agriculture Advisory Services (NAADS) is a statutory semi-autonomous body under the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (MAAIF) mandated to manage the distribution of agricultural inputs to farmers for sustainable household food security and incomes. NAADS supports the production of maize, beans, as well as cowpeas, sorghum, and groundnuts through the distribution of seeds to farmers to improve household food security. In 2022, the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) distributed 75 metric tons of sunflower seeds and 500 metric tons of soy beans to 22 cooperative societies in the Lango and Acholi sub-regions. The initiatives by the government have resulted in the adoption of improved seeds for crop production in various districts across the country.
Further, the Ugandan government is responsible for developing research capacity, while the private sector carries out seed production, seed conditioning, and marketing. The government also heads up the creation of an enabling environment and oversees regulations. The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries, through the Directorate of Crop Production, is the official focal point mandated to regulate the seed industry, with the National Seed Certification Services responsible for seed certification. In addition, to ensure the safe development and application of biotechnology in Uganda, the parliament passed the Genetic Engineering Regulatory Bill 2018.
Further, Uganda's government has paid subsidies to improve small farm productivity, which was also supported by the World Bank under the Agriculture Cluster Development Project, through which it provided hybrid seeds, pesticides, fertilizers, and machinery at subsidized prices. These projects mainly focus on the productivity of cash crops, maize, etc. Consequently, the country fosters improved seeds for several crop varieties in the production year 2020-2021. Thus, the consistent and active involvement of the government in the sector will boost its growth in the coming years.
Maize Dominates the Grains and Cereals Segment
Maize is the most important cereal crop in Uganda, providing over 40% of the calories consumed in both rural and urban areas. The crop has increasingly become a staple food in many parts of the country. Small-scale farmers, who constitute the bulk (80%) of the rural poor, also account for the largest share of maize production. It is grown in every part of the country and is a direct source of livelihood for over 2 million households, according to the National Agriculture Advisory Services. Additionally, some of the leading maize-producing areas in the country are Iganga, Mubende, Soroti, Kabarole, Masaka, Kamuli, and Tororo.
Further, according to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics, the production of maize reached 4.5 million metric tons in 2020, an increase of more than 50% from the previous year despite the 1.7% decline in area under production from the previous year, owing to the increased use and adoption of quality and improved inputs, including seeds. Subsequently, according to the National Agriculture Advisory Services, seeds accounted for 13% of the total input cost in high-input maize production and 23% of the total input cost in low-input maize production, illustrating the cost efficiency of using certified seeds for high-output production.
Subsequently, the farmers in the country in general, and those in Mubende district in particular, lack awareness of quality parameters and post-harvest management practices. Reduced rainfall leading to crop failure, widespread pastures, and water shortages are the other factors limiting the maize production in the country. Therefore, one of the ways to address all the issues would be to have access to improved varieties that can resist climate change and disease. For instance, in 2021, the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) in collaboration with Uganda's National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) released the UH5051 maize hybrid, which is tolerant to stress. Furthermore, Uganda's national variety release committee introduced four drought-tolerant varieties to the market: WE1101, WE3103, WE3106, and WE3109.
Uganda Seeds Industry Overview
The Uganda seed market is fragmented with local and multi-national players' presence in the market. Victoria Seeds, NASECO, FICA Seeds, Seed Co., and East African Seed Company Ltd are the few active players in the market. The most adopted strategies among the players include expansion and product innovations.
Uganda Seeds Market Leaders
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Victoria Seeds
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NASECO
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FICA Seeds
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Seed Co
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East African Seed Company Ltd.
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Uganda Seeds Market News
- August 2022: The Government of Uganda, with support from the Government of the Republic of Korea through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), has launched a nine-year project to develop new varieties of vegetables, strengthen seed certification capacity, and improve the technical skills of vegetable farmers.
- July 2022: Sixteen farmer groups in Odek Sub-county in Omoro district acquired planting seeds from the East African Ministries [EAM] under the Seed Effect Uganda Project.
- November 2021: East-West Seed Company launched its new vegetable seeds into the African market. The products are Tomato Diva F1, Papa Gymbia F1, Hot Pepper Spicy F1, Hot Pepper Piquante Yellow F1, Watermelon Sweet Sangria F1, Gboma Eggplant (African Leafy Vegetables) Sika, and Cucumber Daewy F1.
Uganda Seeds Market Report - Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
- 1.1 Study Assumptions and Market Definition
- 1.2 Scope of the Study
2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
4. MARKET DYNAMICS
- 4.1 Market Overview
- 4.2 Market Drivers
- 4.3 Market Restraints
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4.4 Porter's Five Forces Analysis
- 4.4.1 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
- 4.4.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers
- 4.4.3 Threat of Substitute Products
- 4.4.4 Threat of New Entrants
- 4.4.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry
5. MARKET SEGMENTATION
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5.1 Product
- 5.1.1 Non-GM/Hybrid Seeds
- 5.1.2 GM Seeds
- 5.1.3 Varietal Seeds
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5.2 Crop Type
- 5.2.1 Grains and Cereals
- 5.2.1.1 Maize
- 5.2.1.2 Rice
- 5.2.1.3 Wheat
- 5.2.1.4 Sorghum
- 5.2.1.5 Other Grains and Cereals
- 5.2.2 Pulses and Oilseeds
- 5.2.2.1 Soybean
- 5.2.2.2 Sunflower
- 5.2.2.3 Canola
- 5.2.2.4 Pulses
- 5.2.2.5 Other Oilseeds
- 5.2.3 Vegetables
- 5.2.3.1 Solanaceae
- 5.2.3.2 Cucurbit
- 5.2.3.3 Roots and Bulbs
- 5.2.3.4 Brassica
- 5.2.3.5 Other Vegetables
- 5.2.4 Cotton
- 5.2.5 Other Crops
6. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
- 6.1 Most Adopted Strategies
- 6.2 Market Share Analysis
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6.3 Company Profiles
- 6.3.1 Victoria Seeds
- 6.3.2 NASECO
- 6.3.3 FICA Seeds
- 6.3.4 East-West Seed
- 6.3.5 Equator Seeds
- 6.3.6 Seed Co.
- 6.3.7 East African Seed
- 6.3.8 Bejo
- 6.3.9 Kenya Highland Seed
- 6.3.10 Limagrain
- 6.3.11 Rijk Zwaan
- 6.3.12 Sakata
- 6.3.13 Syngenta
- *List Not Exhaustive
7. MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE TRENDS
** Subject To AvailablityUganda Seeds Industry Segmentation
A seed is the unit of reproduction of a flowering plant, capable of developing into another such plant. The report defines the Uganda seed sector in terms of end-users. For the purpose of this report, the seeds used for sowing have been considered for market estimations and forecasts. The market does not include seeds used for human or animal consumption. The Ugandan seed market is segmented by product type (hybrid seeds, GM seeds, and varietal seeds) and crop type (grains and cereals, pulses and oilseeds, vegetables, cotton, and other crops). The report offers market size and forecasts in terms of value (in USD) for all the above segments.
| Product | Non-GM/Hybrid Seeds | |
| GM Seeds | ||
| Varietal Seeds | ||
| Crop Type | Grains and Cereals | Maize |
| Rice | ||
| Wheat | ||
| Sorghum | ||
| Other Grains and Cereals | ||
| Crop Type | Pulses and Oilseeds | Soybean |
| Sunflower | ||
| Canola | ||
| Pulses | ||
| Other Oilseeds | ||
| Crop Type | Vegetables | Solanaceae |
| Cucurbit | ||
| Roots and Bulbs | ||
| Brassica | ||
| Other Vegetables | ||
| Crop Type | Cotton | |
| Other Crops |
Uganda Seeds Market Research FAQs
How big is the Uganda Seeds Market?
The Uganda Seeds Market size is expected to reach USD 8.25 billion in 2024 and grow at a CAGR of 4.40% to reach USD 10.23 billion by 2029.
What is the current Uganda Seeds Market size?
In 2024, the Uganda Seeds Market size is expected to reach USD 8.25 billion.
Who are the key players in Uganda Seeds Market?
Victoria Seeds , NASECO , FICA Seeds, Seed Co and East African Seed Company Ltd. are the major companies operating in the Uganda Seeds Market.
What years does this Uganda Seeds Market cover, and what was the market size in 2023?
In 2023, the Uganda Seeds Market size was estimated at USD 7.90 billion. The report covers the Uganda Seeds Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. The report also forecasts the Uganda Seeds Market size for years: 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029.
Seeds in Uganda Industry Report
Statistics for the 2024 Seeds in Uganda market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. Seeds in Uganda analysis includes a market forecast outlook to 2029 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.
