EU to Open Kalangala Consulate, Build Airport to Boost Uganda’s Pineapple Exports

The EU Ambassador to Uganda Jan Sadek at Kalangala Islands.

The European Union has announced plans to open a Consulate General in Kalangala District and support the construction of an airport, in a move aimed at boosting Uganda’s pineapple exports to European markets.

EU Ambassador to Uganda Jan Sadek made the announcement on Wednesday, describing Ugandan pineapples as among the best globally and emphasizing the bloc’s commitment to expanding trade ties.

“I am happy to announce that the EU is opening a Consulate General on Kalangala Islands to promote Ugandan pineapple exports,” Sadek said in a post on his official X platform. “Ugandan pineapple is the best in the world—the EU must experience it.”

The development comes as Uganda and the European Union mark 50 years of partnership, with trade between the two continuing to grow steadily.

Uganda currently benefits from duty-free and quota-free access to the EU market under the “Everything But Arms” (EBA) arrangement, which allows exports of all products except arms.

According to available data, Uganda’s exports to the EU have increased significantly—from 500 million euros in 2019 to 1.5 billion euros in recent years. Between 2023 and 2024 alone, exports grew by 58 percent, with Uganda maintaining a positive trade balance with the bloc since 2022.

While coffee has long dominated Uganda’s exports to Europe, recent developments have seen diversification, including clearance to export farmed finfish and related products to the EU market.

The EU is now turning its focus to pineapples, which have been identified as a high-potential export but face logistical challenges due to their perishable nature.

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To address this, the planned airport in Kalangala is expected to play a critical role in ensuring faster transportation and preserving the fruit’s freshness for European markets.

“A dedicated airport is being built to ensure it arrives fresh in Brussels,” Sadek noted.

The infrastructure project is also expected to transform Kalangala, an island district that currently relies heavily on water transport for connectivity to the mainland.

Officials say the combined investment in diplomatic presence and infrastructure signals a strategic push to strengthen agricultural exports while supporting local economic development.