Shea butter is an untapped gold mine in Uganda. Statistics show that the global demand for shea butter products was US$10 billion in 2017 and will reach US$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.
As we all know, shea butter resources are very rare. They are only cultivated in some African countries and cannot be cultivated artificially. The fruits are edible, and the nuts are used to produce shea butter. Shea butter is the closest to the oil index of human sebum secretion. It is rich in unsaponifiable substances and is easily absorbed. It can not only prevent dryness and cracking, but also further restore and maintain the natural elasticity of the skin, with an incredible deep moisturizing effect. It also has anti-inflammatory properties. Among the natural oils, shea butter has the reputation of being the first in repairing and the second in moisturizing, and has been recognized by the international industry and sought after by the market. From the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization to the United States Agency for International Development, from European chemical giants to African local industry alliances, a large number of institutions and personnel are involved in the processing, application, trade and sustainable development of shea butter. Shea butter products have entered the Chinese market for more than ten years, the consumer market has been nurtured, developed and expanded, and consumers’ interest in the product has continued to increase.
Uganda is one of the countries in Africa that has this natural resource, but it is still untapped. According to an official from the Uganda Export Promotion Agency, Uganda currently exports 144 tons of shea products annually, earning $1 million in foreign exchange, a huge gap compared to Nigeria’s $320 million in annual export earnings. The official also said that Uganda has great potential to make shea butter one of the largest sources of foreign exchange earnings, and the government needs to develop a policy environment that supports the development of shea butter as a means of increasing employment, industrialization and social development. Important crops are given priority. economic development.