The family-owned firm is one of the 10 largest animal feed companies in the world
The mill, which is being built in Njeru, near Jinja, will be the first dedicated aquafeed plant in Uganda and will service the growing demand for feed in the East African fish farming market.
“We are proud to contribute to the nutrition and food security of Uganda, as fish plays a vital role in the country's diet. With the wild catch stagnating or decreasing and the population rapidly growing, farmed fish has become crucial to meet the increasing demand,” said the company in a statement.
“Uganda possesses immense potential for aquaculture, given its large lakes and favorable water temperatures that support year-round fish farming. By launching this plant, we aim to provide a positive boost to the aquaculture industry in Uganda and the surrounding countries. Although the industry has shown promising growth in recent years, it requires affordable and reliable quality feeds for further development. Currently, most feeds are imported, but our local factory will offer a shorter, more flexible supply chain,” they added.
Theo Smalbraak, the company’s business group director for Africa and the Middle East, added: “The impact of this plant goes beyond employment at the facility itself. We anticipate a significant positive effect on employment among fish farmers and our suppliers, as we aim to replace imports and source raw materials such as maize, cassava, soy, and others locally as much as possible.
“De Heus combines global experience and expertise with a rich background in Dutch agricultural innovation. We firmly believe in the potential of Africa, which is why we continue to invest in expanding our footprint across the continent. In addition to our presence in South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Ivory Coast, we are now proud to establish ourselves in Uganda.
“We feel privileged to have welcomed honoured guests in celebrating this special occasion of the groundbreaking ceremony. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our partners, the government, local authorities, the Dutch embassy, and our business relations for their unwavering support.”
