Would you believe that Uganda is one of only a few countries where it is possible to fully harvest the crop two times a year?

All these, coupled with the possession of a well-endowed manufacturing capability, nutrient-rich soils, and tropical weather conditions characteristic of an equatorial region, make Uganda suitable for vanilla growing. Vanilla is one of the most important products of Uganda and is commonly known as the “Green Gold of Uganda” as it is a source of livelihood for thousands of farmers and their dependents.

The tale of how vanilla growers from Kasese’s foothills to Kampala’s markets rose from the ashes and embraced the future is indeed inspiring.

Well, that just blew vanilla out of the water. Let’s immerse ourselves in this world without further delay!

Unique Advantage – Uganda is one of the few countries where vanilla can be harvested twice a year due to its ideal climate and rich soils. 

Economic Impact – Vanilla, known as “Green Gold,” contributed $20.66 million in export earnings in 2023, with high market prices of up to $20,000 per kilogram. 

Challenges—Farmers face issues such as theft, price volatility, and premature harvesting, which prompt government interventions such as fixed harvest times and farmer registration.

Growing Global Market – Uganda exported 266.7 metric tons of vanilla in 2023, with key buyers in the U.S., Europe, and Asia, benefiting from rising global demand.

Sustainability & Innovation – Farmers are adopting organic practices, and with a $21 million investment, Uganda aims to boost production to 350 metric tons by 2025.

Vanilla is known as ‘Green Gold’ because of the large returns it has on people’s revenue and profit. Uganda’s vanilla industry has grown significantly over the past few years, contributing approximately $20.66 million in export earnings in 2023 alone​​. The crop benefits thousands of farmers across the country, especially in the regions such as Kasese and Mukono, where vanilla farming is the most dominant. 

A vanilla plant does not bear fruit for at least 3 years, and though the capital cost is high, the returns are good. For example, a properly managed acre of vanilla can generate very good revenues, keeping in mind that for vanilla beans, the price varies between $5,000 and $20,000 per kilogram, depending on the market situation.

The climate of Uganda is nearly equatorial and therefore consists of two major rainy seasons and it has very suitable volcanic soil for the growing of vanilla. Some parts of Uganda like central and western Uganda, such as Kasese, Mukono and Bundibugyo are most suitable for vanilla growing and production of quality vanilla beans. These areas face rainfall and the temperatures are moderate through most of the year, both of which are critical for vanilla’s development. 

Vanilla thrives in warm and humid conditions, the temperature is usually from 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F) all year around. Importantly, Uganda is the only country in the world where two harvests are possible during a year, so you receive a regular delivery that is not complicated to source. 

Despite its potential, vanilla farming in Uganda is fraught with challenges. 

Among them, the most acute one is theft since the beans are valuable and their demand attracts criminals. Telling the tribulations of farmers from Kasese: “To farm, one has to endure their crops being stolen right before the harvest in a process that costs them a lot of money.”

Another problem is that the market may be volatile. the activity of the company may depend on the market changes. Volatility in global prices also has a way of reducing farmers incomes and thus cannot be used as a reliable way of planning for future projects. 

Further, due to early selling driven by the need to have ready cash, the quality of the beans harvested is usually low which consequently affects the market value. 

In response to these challenges, the Ugandan government has adopted strategies like fixing specific harvest times and registration of vanilla farmers whereby which would help in easy identification and improving quality. 

Vanilla beans undergo a lot of processing from the time they are produced to when they are sold on the market. It starts with pollination of vanilla flowers that is done manually, this is usually a tedious undertaking which is usually done by experienced personnel. That is how the flowers get pollinated and the beans take roughly about 9 months to be ready. Harvesting is done selectively with beans that are perfectly ripe ,being the only ones that are picked, quailing the taste and quality of the beans. 

Especially the beans have to be passed through a curing process, through blanching, sweating, drying, and conditioning is done after harvesting. This can take a few months and forms the concentrated, rich, spicy taste that characterizes the product. These cured beans are then classified depending on the quality and sold within or shipped outside the country.

It is seen that Uganda is steadily being established on the international vanilla map. The country exported 266.7 metric tons of vanilla in 2023, a significant increase from previous years​​. The main markets for exported vanilla are the United States, Europe and the Asian markets due to the quality of the Ugandan vanilla. 

The global market for vanilla continues to grow due to the common usage of vanilla in the food chain and in the making of body fragrances. This rising demand is the means of great opportunity of benefiting the Ugandan farmers who are slowly improving their interpersonal farming standards for meeting up to the international market standards. 

Innovation and sustainability are central characteristics of the Ugandan vanilla business. As for the type of holding, agricultural producers are actively adopting new technologies and innovations in farming processes. 

For example, banning of negative aspects such as toxic pesticides and fungicides and the adoption of organic farming approaches are some of the measures that are slowly being embraced, all in a bid to make Ugandan vanilla special, high quality vanilla that is environmentally friendly. 

Bodies like Association of Vanilla Exporters of Uganda Limited (VANEX) are rising to the challenge and supporting vanilla farmers including through training and farming inputs. These are crucial in sustaining the practice of vanilla farming in Uganda for the next long-term. 

Uganda’s vanilla industry is expected to reap great profits in the near future. That being the case, there is evidence that the sector is moving to the next higher productive level regarding investment and development plans. Action has been taken to grow the crop in other regions, add new products and markets all over the world. 

For instance, the Ugandan government supported by multilateral organizations is putting $21 million to enhance production of vanilla to 350 metric tons by the year 2025. 

This growth also needs research and development activities to be included in the company’s strategic plan. Through vanilla production enhancement through varieties and enhancing farming practices, Uganda’s vision and mission is to increase production and overly quality of vanilla to be on top as a supplier in the global market. 

The vanilla industry in Uganda tells a lot about the determination and hard work in the farmers. However, the sector remains resilient and it has continued to expand due to the factors such as the favorable germination conditions, government support as well as mechanization of farming. 

Vanilla export journey from Uganda to the world market is not just a simple story of creating wealth but it’s a story of liberating people, creating employment opportunities, fairly rewarding hard working individuals, and implementing sustainable development. 

As people across the globe continue to relish the swirls of flavors offered by Ugandan vanilla, its future holds immense promise for this ‘Green Gold. ’ With emphasis on improving quality, practicing sustainable production, and diversifying markets, Uganda can confidently look forward to a long-lasting and successful Vanilla business.