Milk prices in Uganda’s Ntungamo District have declined sharply following the return of seasonal rains, which have revitalized pasture conditions and significantly increased daily dairy output. According to the Nile Post, the improved weather has lifted production from approximately 35,000 litres during the recent dry spell to 55,000 litres. This surge in supply has alleviated the shortages that previously drove prices upward, providing relief to both farmers and traders in the region.
Farm-gate prices have fallen from Shs1,800 per litre to a range between Shs1,200 and Shs1,300. Retail prices have similarly decreased, dropping from Shs2,500 to between Shs1,800 and Shs2,000. Dickinson Ayesigye, a local milk trader, told the Nile Post that the shift in weather conditions directly impacted the market. "The prices have declined because the season has changed," Ayesigye stated, noting that the increased quantity of milk available has pushed costs down for buyers.
Ntungamo District Production Officer Dr Yake Basulira confirmed the statistical improvement to the Nile Post, reporting that daily output has risen from 35,000 to nearly 55,000 litres. He noted that production is expected to climb further as the rainy season progresses, with the district historically recording average daily outputs of up to 95,000 litres during favorable wet periods. "We have already recorded some progress," Basulira said, highlighting the rapid recovery of the local dairy sector.
The current recovery follows a challenging period from April to August, when a prolonged dry spell severely reduced cattle productivity and water availability. The Nile Post reported that outbreaks of Foot-and-Mouth Disease further compounded these difficulties, pushing daily production below 40,000 litres at the height of the crisis. Emmanuel Arinaitwe, chairman of the Ntungamo Dairy Farmers Cooperative Union, described the drought period as particularly difficult for farmers struggling to maintain output amid disease and lack of feed.
Despite the positive shift in the dairy market, the Nile Post notes that consumers in Ntungamo continue to face rising costs for other essential food items. Prices for vegetables, fresh produce, and meat have increased, with traders attributing these hikes to the lingering effects of the dry spell, high fuel costs, and transport expenses. This disparity means that while dairy affordability has improved, the broader cost of living remains under pressure for local households.