Kampala, Uganda – 21 September 2026: Denmark has announced a $300,000 (UGX 1.05 billion) grant to HortiFresh, Uganda’s business membership organisation for the fresh fruits and vegetables sector, to help Ugandan horticultural exporters reach international markets more competitively.
Implemented through TradeMark Africa’s Sustainable Inclusive Trade in Africa (SITA) programme, the two-year partnership will support exporters and industry partners to strengthen compliance with international standards, improve traceability and market linkages, and test more efficient and commercially viable sea-freight solutions for avocado and other horticultural exports.
At its heart, the initiative is about helping Ugandan businesses overcome some of the practical barriers that can make it difficult to compete in global markets, from meeting demanding quality requirements and maintaining traceability, to accessing affordable logistics and reliable international buyers.
Uganda has significant potential to expand its horticultural exports, but getting more produce from farm to international market requires more than growing the right products. It requires the systems, standards, logistics and commercial connections that allow businesses to compete consistently.
The HortiFresh partnership will therefore pilot a shift from air freight towards structured sea freight, potentially opening a more cost-effective route to international markets for avocado and other horticultural products. The project will generate evidence and document lessons from the pilot to build confidence among exporters, buyers and logistics providers and encourage wider commercial uptake.
The grant forms part of SITA’s broader focus on supporting sustainable and inclusive trade, stronger business competitiveness, improved market access and higher-value traded goods. TradeMark Africa’s approach recognises that reducing the time and cost of trading must go hand in hand with helping African businesses produce goods that meet market requirements and connect with buyers.
The practical nature of the new partnership was evident during its launch activities, when a delegation led by Samuel Balaggade, Chairperson of HortiFresh, and Lilian Mwai-Ndegwa, Acting Senior Director, EAC and Central Africa at TradeMark Africa visited Karye Fresh Foods Ltd. The group toured the company’s packhouse and met with Jim Tumusiime, proprietor of Karye Fresh Foods Ltd., to discuss what it will take for Ugandan horticulture to become more competitive in international markets.
“For Ugandan horticulture to compete globally, we need to address the whole export journey – from compliance and traceability to logistics and market access. This partnership is designed to do exactly that, putting practical support directly into the hands of businesses and the organisations that serve them,” said Ms. Mwai-Ndegwa.
The partnership builds on TradeMark Africa’s wider experience supporting African businesses to overcome trade barriers. Across its programmes, TMA has supported improvements in standards, digital trade systems, market access and trade infrastructure. In Uganda, its work has contributed to the digitalisation of trade processes, strengthened standards compliance and improved the efficiency of border and trade systems.
On his part, Mr Tumusiime highlighted five critical constraints facing exporters: appropriate packhouse equipment, logistics, compliance, access to affordable finance and international market access.
“If we can get these five right, it would be a game changer. I’m very sure we would compete,” he said.
His assessment reflects the central challenge the partnership seeks to address: export competitiveness is built across an entire value chain. Meeting an international standard is important, but so is having the equipment to meet it, the logistics to move products efficiently, the finance to invest in compliance and the market connections to turn compliance into commercial opportunity.
Through the grant, HortiFresh will work with exporters and industry partners to address these interconnected constraints, strengthen the systems needed to meet international requirements and generate practical evidence on the commercial viability of sea freight for Ugandan horticultural exports.
The partnership will also contribute to SITA’s wider ambition of making African trade more sustainable, inclusive and commercially driven. The programme, funded by Denmark, is part of a five-year $30 million partnership with TradeMark Africa focused on advancing implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area, improving trade along key corridors and supporting businesses and traders to access and benefit from markets.
For Uganda’s horticulture sector, the objective is straightforward – to help more Ugandan businesses meet international market requirements, move their products more efficiently and turn export potential into sustained commercial opportunity.