Development Of Shea Butter in Uganda
Shea butter is an untapped gold mine in Uganda. Statistics show that global demand for shea butter products was $10 billion in 2017 and $30 billion by 2020.
Experts say shea butter is gaining popularity in the cosmetics industry for its good moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, in the food industry, shea butter's low fat content makes it a good alternative to high-fat ingredients such as cocoa and palm oil.
It is known that shea resources are very rare, growing only in some African countries and cannot be grown artificially, its fruits are available for consumption and the kernels are used to produce shea butter. Shea butter and human sebum secretion oil indicators are the closest, rich in unsaponifiable ingredients, extremely easy to absorb, not only to prevent dryness and cracking, but also to further restore and maintain the natural elasticity of the skin, with incredible deep moisturizing effect. It also acts as an anti-inflammatory. Among natural oils, shea butter has the reputation of being the first in restorative properties and the second in moisturizing properties, and has been recognized by the international industry and sought after by the market. From the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to the U.S. Agency for International Development, from European chemical giants to indigenous African industry alliances, a large number of institutions and people are involved in the processing, application, trade, and sustainable development of shea butter. Shea butter products have been in the Chinese market for more than a decade, and the consumer market has been cultivated, developed and grown, and consumer interest in the product has been steadily increasing.
Uganda is one of the countries in Africa with this natural resource, but it is still in the untapped stage. Uganda currently exports 144 tons of shea products annually, earning $1 million in foreign exchange, which is a huge gap compared to Nigeria's annual export earnings of $320 million, according to an official from the Uganda Export Promotion Authority. The official also said that Uganda has great potential to make shea butter one of the largest foreign exchange earners and that the government needs to develop a policy environment that supports shea butter development, prioritizing it as an important crop for increasing employment, industrialization and socio-economic development.
