The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) has officially announced that the vanilla harvest period for Season A, 2025, will begin on 18th June and end on 18th September 2025.
Speaking to journalists at the Uganda Media Centre today, State Minister for Agriculture Fred Bwino Kyakulaga emphasized the importance of harvesting only fully mature vanilla beans.
He warned that premature harvesting or handling of green vanilla beans outside the designated period will not be tolerated.
Kyakulaga revealed that MAAIF staffs, along with District Local Government officials, have been tasked with monitoring and supervising the entire vanilla harvest and trade process across the country.
He also called on the Agricultural Police to enforce the directive, apprehend violators, and help safeguard the integrity of Uganda’s vanilla industry.
Vanilla has emerged as one of Uganda’s most lucrative high-value export crops.
In 2024 alone, the country exported 604 metric tons of vanilla, earning USD 16.6 million, a significant jump from 266 metric tons in 2023.
This achievement has secured Uganda’s position as the world’s second-largest vanilla producer for the second consecutive year, according to the Bank of Uganda.
By Charles Katabalwa
18th June 2025
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