By Tumwine Byaruhanga
Uganda’s Season A vanilla harvest will run from June 29 to September 29, 2026, with government warning farmers, traders and processors against harvesting immature beans.
The Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Frank Tumwebaze, said the harvest window follows a national vanilla maturity survey and scientific analysis. He directed farmers to selectively harvest only fully mature beans under the guidance of district local governments.
The ministry warned that anyone found harvesting prematurely or handling green beans outside the declared period will face penalties. Agricultural Police have also been asked to enforce the declaration and apprehend defaulters.
Tumwebaze said premature harvesting remains one of the biggest threats to Uganda’s competitiveness in global vanilla markets because it lowers vanillin content, affects quality and undermines buyer confidence.
Uganda is the world’s second-largest producer and exporter of natural vanilla. According to the ministry, the country exported about 604 metric tonnes of vanilla in 2024, valued at more than USD 16.6 million. This was more than double the 266 metric tonnes exported in 2023.
The ministry says Uganda’s advantage lies in its two annual harvests, which allow the country to offer a more stable supply at a time when buyers are looking for reliable sources beyond Madagascar, which dominates the global market.
Uganda’s shipments to the United States rose from 271,529 kilogrammes in 2024 to 338,259 kilogrammes in 2025. Exports to the European Union also increased from 166,901 kilogrammes to 188,849 kilogrammes over the same period.
Government says the European market remains sensitive to quality, sustainability, traceability and compliance, making enforcement of harvest windows critical to protecting Uganda’s reputation.
The ministry has put in place a Vanilla Desk to coordinate policy and regulation, official harvest dates to fight premature picking, and a multi-stakeholder platform bringing together growers, exporters, processors, researchers, government and private sector players.
It has also supported the development and enforcement of 15 district ordinances on vanilla quality and processing, alongside farmer training, traceability systems and scientific maturity surveys.
According to the ministry, these interventions have improved Uganda’s standing in global markets, reduced theft and helped Ugandan vanilla often surpass four percent vanillin content.
Vanilla is now grown in more than 40 districts, including Mukono, Kayunga, Buikwe, Jinja, Kamuli, Masaka, Kyotera, Mpigi, Luweero, Mityana, Hoima, Kabarole, Kasese, Bundibugyo, Mbarara, Bushenyi, Rubirizi, Rukungiri and Kanungu, among others.
Tumwebaze said vanilla remains a profitable crop for farmers. At an average price of Shs15,000 per kilogramme, a farmer can earn up to Shs27 million annually per acre, assuming a yield of 1,800 kilogrammes and production costs of about Shs1.82 million.
He said Uganda can become a top global supplier of premium, traceable vanilla if farmers, traders and processors respect quality standards and the declared harvest period.
