The ongoing drought in many parts of Uganda has caused a drop of more than 25% in milk supplies and rising farmgate prices. Processors have been forced to limit the range of products and to mark up prices.

Daily supplies are running out in both big and small outlets.

In most urban centres, a litre of processed and pasteurised milk has increased in price from Shs2,000 (52c) last November to Shs3,000 (78c) now.

Milk production of 2.2bn litres

Jesa Farm Dairy and Premier Dairies dominate the fresh milk retail market.

Jesa has installed capacity for 80,000 litres, while Premier has capacity for between 15,000 and 20,000 litres.

Total milk production in Uganda is around 2.2bn litres.

The country operates on an open grazing system, which is vulnerable to weather shocks.

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