Overview:
The first 11-tonne shipment of Ugandan dried chili peppers recently cleared customs in Shanghai, following a 25% increase in African agricultural imports to the region.
SHANGHAI — A shipment of dried chili peppers from Uganda recently passed customs in Shanghai, marking the first time the product has entered the Chinese market since gaining official access.
The 11 tonnes of peppers arrived via sea transport at the Waigaoqiao port area, according to Shanghai municipal customs authorities. Officials confirmed the shipment met safety standards after inspections showed the products were free of pests, mold and impurities.
The milestone comes amid a significant increase in trade between Africa and China. Shanghai Customs reported that the value of African agricultural imports through its ports reached 10.03 billion yuan, or approximately $1.43 billion, in 2025. That figure represents a 25.3% increase from the previous year.
The growth reflects a broader upward trend in the region. Between 2021 and 2025, Shanghai ports imported a total of 39.21 billion yuan in African agricultural products, maintaining an average annual growth rate of 10.9%.
Uganda’s entry into the dried chili market follows a formal flag-off event held in Kamuli in November, signaling the country’s intent to diversify its agricultural exports to the world’s second-largest economy.