Ugandan grain buyers set strict quality standards for suppliers
While some buyers have been battling with quality and quantity issues, others have been battling unnecessary price hikes.
UGANDA – Grain processors in Uganda have outlined strict quality demands for suppliers in a move aimed at boosting the uptake of certified grains and ensuring the safety of livestock and human food.
This came during the Meet the Buyer/Seller Symposium organised by the Grain Council of Uganda with support from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) of the World Bank, held on Wednesday, August 20, at Four Points Hotel in Kampala.
Humphrey Mutaasa, Chief Technical Advisor of the Grain Council of Uganda and Senior Consultant with IFC, said the event was designed to bridge the gap between certified grain suppliers and processors.
“There has been an outcry from society that there is no quality maize in the country. So, we had to bring suppliers of certified and clean grain that have attained a Q mark to speak with the buyers, sign contracts and grow the business of trading certified grains,” he explained.
What buyers want from suppliers
Buyers at the symposium were clear about their expectations. Aga Sekalala Jr, proprietor of Ugachick Poultry Breeders, which consumes 15,000 metric tons of maize annually, stressed that grains must have acceptable moisture content, be free from debris, stones, metals, mould, and aflatoxin contamination.
“We test for aflatoxins. If it has higher aflatoxins or any of the ingredients that are on our checklist, we reject because we don’t want to feed our chicken with contaminated maize,” he said.
He also welcomed the idea of certifying grains, adding that this should start from the gardens to address the circumstances under which maize should be harvested, dried or even stored before it can be supplied.
Geofrey Mukama, technical sales manager for Koudijs Uganda, said their new feed plant, set to begin operations in September, will require 200,000 metric tons of maize annually. He, however, emphasised that poor quality grains will not be tolerated.
“All the 5000 metric tons of maize grain that were supplied were rejected. We set specifications and samples passed the test, but the delivery was different,” he said.
Price and supply chain concerns
Other processors raised concerns about costs and supply chains. Alex Mbonigaba, Country Manager at Kafiika Animal Feeds, said reliance on third-party suppliers had led to unstable prices and contamination risks. Buying directly from farmers, he said, would cut costs and reduce aflatoxin risks.
Similarly, Isaac Arimpa, procurement manager at Tunga Nutrition Uganda, revealed that his company had been overpaying for grains due to middlemen.
“From today, I will be reaching out to owners and not third parties,” he said.
On the supply side, smallholder aggregators also raised challenges. Moses Musasizi, director at Agro Stores in Mubende, appealed for investment in grain dryers to meet buyer specifications. He noted that the only existing large dryer in the region is inadequate for current demand.
Hans Shrader, IFC Lead Advisor on maize markets in Uganda, urged stakeholders to align with the East African Quality Maize Standard.
“If we can address the quality that meets Ugandan and East African Quality Standards, people will have better nutrition, and there will be better access to East African markets. In the process, more investors will be attracted to Uganda’s grain sector,” he said.
Echoing this, Patricia Bageine Ejalu, Deputy Executive Director of the Uganda National Bureau of Standards, said the initiative would streamline grain trade along the value chain and reduce rejections in cross-border trade.
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