Dry spell squeezes Uganda’s milk supply

KAMPALA. Uganda’s milk supply is coming under pressure as prolonged dry conditions reduce production in major dairy-producing areas, raising concerns about possible shortages and higher prices for consumers.

JESA Farm Dairy, one of the country’s major milk processors, has warned customers of a temporary shortage of its products, citing declining milk yields among farmers.

In a notice issued on August 18, the processor said the prolonged dry season had affected dairy farming communities across the country, resulting in reduced raw milk production.

“We are experiencing a temporary shortage due to the prolonged dry season, which has affected all dairy farming communities and led to reduced milk production,” the company said.

JESA did not indicate when supplies would return to normal but asked consumers to be patient as it manages the disruption.

The development highlights the vulnerability of Uganda’s dairy industry to weather shocks, particularly during prolonged dry spells when pasture and water become scarce.

Uganda produces an estimated 5.4 billion litres of milk annually, with the industry supporting millions of farmers and supplying both the domestic and regional markets.

However, dairy farmers in some of the country’s major milk-producing areas are facing declining yields as pasture dries up and water sources become less reliable.

The affected areas include Ankole, greater Masaka and Ntungamo, which are among the country’s important cattle-rearing and milk-producing zones.

For dairy farmers, prolonged dry weather increases the cost of production as they are forced to look for alternative sources of water and feed for their animals.

The pressure is not confined to Uganda. Dairy markets in neighbouring Kenya and Rwanda have also experienced supply constraints as adverse weather conditions and low returns from dairy farming affect production.

The current dry spell has persisted beyond the period when farmers had expected rains to return.

The Ministry of Water and Environment’s Department of Meteorological Services has attributed the prolonged dry conditions partly to global climate factors, including warmer sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, which suppressed the traditional June-July-August rainfall.

The ministry has reported below-normal rainfall and above-average temperatures in several parts of central, western and southwestern Uganda.

The effects are particularly significant for dairy farmers who depend heavily on natural pasture. Reduced pasture availability can lead to lower milk yields as animals receive less nutritious feed.

The shortage also comes at a time when Uganda is seeking to expand its dairy exports and increase the value of agricultural production.

The dairy sector has grown into an important source of income for farming households and foreign exchange, with processors collecting milk from farmers for both local consumption and export markets.

A prolonged disruption in raw milk supplies could therefore affect farmers, processors and consumers along the dairy value chain.

For consumers, lower supplies could translate into higher prices if processors struggle to secure sufficient raw milk to maintain production levels.

For farmers, however, the immediate challenge is maintaining their herds through the dry period without pushing production costs beyond what milk sales can support.

The situation underscores the growing importance of climate-resilient dairy production, including investment in water harvesting, pasture management, irrigation and affordable livestock feeds.

Without such measures, prolonged dry seasons could increasingly disrupt milk supplies and undermine efforts to expand Uganda’s dairy industry.