Pineapples are among the most widely grown fruits in Uganda, especially in districts like Kayunga, Luwero, and Mukono.
While many farmers sell them raw, agricultural experts and traders say the real wealth lies in value addition, a game-changing opportunity that remains largely untapped.
Jane Naluwayiro, a pineapple farmer in Ndeeba village, Kayunga district, has embraced value addition and says the rewards are immense.
“I used to sell raw pineapples at between sh500 and sh1,000 depending on size. But now, by drying them, making juice and jam, I earn more than triple the income,” she explains.
Her dried pineapples are packaged in airtight bags and sold in shops around Kayunga town, Kampala and exported.
Hassan Serwadda, another pineapple farmer from Nsiima village, says value addition has reduced his post-harvest losses significantly.
“Previously, I would lose nearly 20% of my harvest due to rot, especially during peak seasons when prices drop. Now, I make juice and wine, which are in high demand locally,” he notes.
He adds that a litre of pure pineapple juice goes for sh5,000 while a bottle of pineapple wine fetches sh10,000.
Nicholas Kalanzi, a trader at Kalerwe market, says processed pineapple products move faster than raw fruits.
“Many urban dwellers prefer ready-to-consume products like dried slices and fresh juice. These products have longer shelf lives and fetch better prices, especially during rainy seasons when transport and storage are challenging,” he says.
Despite these benefits, experts believe many farmers lack awareness and skills to process pineapples. With proper training, access to small-scale processing equipment, and better packaging, Uganda’s pineapple sector could create thousands of jobs, reduce waste, and boost exports. The potential remains vast, and the time to act is now.
