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Uganda’s tea industry is facing an unprecedented crisis as farmers across the country abandon their plantations due to persistently low prices. The collapse in green tea leaf prices has left many farmers struggling to sustain their livelihoods, forcing them to uproot their crops and turn to alternative farming practices. The situation has sparked widespread concern about the future of Uganda’s tea sector, which has long been a cornerstone of the nation’s agricultural economy.
Farmers in regions such as Kanungu, Kayonza, and Buhoma have reported that the price of green tea leaves has dropped from UGX 500 to UGX 200 per kilogram, making it nearly impossible to cover production costs. Francis Byamukama, a farmer in Kayonza, revealed that he has uprooted seven acres of tea from his plantation and replaced them with maize and bananas to provide food for his family. “Tea used to pay for my children’s education, but now I can barely afford to keep them in school,” Byamukama lamented.
The crisis has been attributed to a combination of factors, including depressed global markets, declining tea quality, and high production costs. Farmers have pointed to the lack of government support and strategic direction as key contributors to the industry’s struggles. Onesimus Matsiko, chairperson of the Uganda Tea Outgrowers Association, criticized the government for failing to provide adequate policy support and investment in the sector. “Uganda’s tea will continue to suffer unless we wake up and address the root causes of this crisis,” Matsiko stated.
The challenges faced by tea farmers are compounded by the dominance of pluckers who prioritize quantity over quality, leading to a decline in Uganda’s reputation at international tea auctions. At the Mombasa Tea Auction, Ugandan tea fetched an average of $0.79 per kilogram, significantly lower than the $2.22 and $2.46 achieved by teas from neighboring Kenya and Rwanda. This disparity has further demoralized farmers, many of whom are now seeking alternative livelihoods.
Tea processing factories have also been affected by the crisis, with financial constraints limiting their ability to purchase fertilizers and maintain high-quality production standards. Jonathan Musinguzi, General Manager of Kayonza Growers Tea Factory, explained that the factory’s reliance on expensive generators due to unreliable hydroelectricity has increased processing costs, forcing them to reduce payments to farmers. “We are doing our best to support farmers, but the challenges are overwhelming,” Musinguzi stated.
The crisis has prompted calls for urgent intervention from both the government and private sector. Farmers have petitioned Parliament and Cabinet to address the low prices and provide financial assistance to stabilize the industry. Local leaders have emphasized the need for collective efforts to restore confidence in tea farming and prevent further abandonment of plantations.
Experts have suggested that Uganda’s tea industry could benefit from exploring specialty tea opportunities and strengthening farmer organizations to improve quality and market access. Victoria Ashabahebwa, Director of Swazi Highland Tea Co Ltd, stressed the importance of enhancing tea quality to attract buyers and achieve better prices. “With improved quality, Uganda’s tea can compete on the global stage,” Ashabahebwa stated.
As Uganda grapples with the tea crisis, the focus remains on finding sustainable solutions to support farmers and revitalize the industry. The abandonment of tea plantations serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing the agricultural sector and the urgent need for coordinated action to address them.