Uganda Exports First Processed Beef Consignment to Ethiopia

Uganda has marked a significant milestone in its agricultural export sector with the successful dispatch of its first-ever shipment of processed beef to Ethiopia. Ranchers Finest Ltd, a local company, flagged off a consignment of premium meat products, including steaks and sausages, from its facility in Kawempe, Kampala.

This shipment initiates a formal supply agreement with Ethiopia’s Diamond Hotel and Restaurant Group. Under this pact, Ranchers Finest is set to export approximately 20 tonnes of processed beef and related products monthly. This move is expected to bolster Uganda’s capacity in value-added agricultural trade.

Dr. Hillary Emmanuel Musoke Kisanja, Senior Presidential Advisor on Agribusiness, hailed the export as a landmark achievement for Uganda’s livestock industry. He emphasized the importance of local processing over exporting live animals, highlighting its role in wealth retention and job creation across the entire production chain.

“We need to process all the meat from the farm to the fork,” Dr. Musoke stated, underscoring the benefits of adding value, such as job creation in slaughtering, packaging, transportation, and marketing, while also increasing farmer returns.

Ranchers Finest secured this export contract through a competitive process, owing to its adherence to international food safety standards, including ISO 22000:2018 and HACCP certification. The company’s CEO, Mr. Collin Muyanja, expressed optimism that this agreement will pave the way for further export opportunities within Ethiopia and the wider East African region.

The company remains dedicated to delivering high-quality processed meats and supporting the government’s drive towards industrialization and export-led growth. Exporting processed meat, rather than live animals, is seen as crucial for maximizing export revenues, creating employment, and improving product traceability.