Cocoa is Uganda's fourth-biggest commodity export after coffee, tea and fish. Cocoa production in Uganda has seen a steady increase over the last few years.

Cocoa is Uganda's fourth-biggest commodity export after cofUgandan cocoa production is projected to rise to 45,000 metric tons by 2026, up from 39,000 metric tons in 2021 – an average annual growth rate of 2.5%. Since 1966, the country's cocoa supply has risen by 2% a year. In 2021, Uganda was in 12th place in the world rankings, with Papua New Guinea overtaking it with 38,610 metric tons.

The Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) and the International Trade Centre (ITC) recently undertook a demand and supply value chain assessment of the sector. The study revealed that Uganda’s top markets for cocoa are in Asia - Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore. Although the price per tonne is higher for beans going to Europe, exports to European markets have significantly decreased since 2013, probably due to the high EU standards and quality requirements.

The report states that current market trends, particularly in Europe, strongly favour organic products and specialty cocoa. “Uganda will need to devise strategies to capitalise on these niche segments in order to access higher premiums.” The report recommends several measures to establish Uganda as a lasting player in this market. These include strengthening compliance with standards and regulations along the value chain, and better marketing and branding of Ugandan cocoa