Packaged medicines imports in Uganda: data, top suppliers and prices
Uganda imported $254.8 million of packaged medicines in 2024 (20.0 thousand tonnes). That is 21% less than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2023, at $320.8 million.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $254.8M | 20.0K t |
| 2023 | $320.8M | 20.6K t |
| 2022 | $306.4M | 17.1K t |
| 2021 | $289.6M | 17.3K t |
| 2020 | $298.1M | 11.5K t |
| 2019 | $264.7M | 10.1K t |
| 2018 | $249.1M | 15.1K t |
| 2017 | $224.4M | 9.1K t |
Where Uganda imports packaged medicines from
The largest suppliers were India (50%), China (15%), Kenya (12%). Among the main suppliers, Netherlands grew fastest (+60% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| India | $126.1M | 50% |
| China | $38.1M | 15% |
| Kenya | $29.3M | 12% |
| Netherlands | $9.0M | 3.5% |
| Egypt | $6.0M | 2.4% |
| United Kingdom | $5.8M | 2.3% |
| France | $4.6M | 1.8% |
| Jordan | $4.3M | 1.7% |
| Germany | $3.8M | 1.5% |
| Belgium | $3.2M | 1.2% |
Product types under HS 3004
| 3004.90 | Medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale | 84% |
| 3004.60 | Antimalarial medicines (packaged) | 4.7% |
| 3004.20 | Antibiotic medicines (packaged) | 4.6% |
| 3004.10 | Penicillin and streptomycin medicines (packaged) | 3.8% |
| 3004.39 | Hormone medicines (packaged) | 1.2% |
| 3004.50 | Vitamin medicines (packaged) | 0.8% |
| 3004.49 | Alkaloid medicines (packaged) | 0.4% |
| 3004.32 | Corticosteroid medicines (packaged) | 0.4% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 3004.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $12.74 per kg, 84% below the world average of $80.84, which often means bulk or lower-grade product.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Packaged medicines exports from Uganda
In 2024, Uganda exported packaged medicines worth $32.1 million (10.7 thousand tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Zambia (31%), Kenya (15%), Malawi (13%). Among the main buyer markets, Malawi grew fastest (+553% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zambia | $10.1M | 32% |
| Kenya | $5.0M | 16% |
| Malawi | $4.2M | 13% |
| Tanzania | $2.7M | 8.4% |
| Rwanda | $2.3M | 7.2% |
| Burundi | $2.1M | 6.4% |
| Niger | $1.8M | 5.5% |
| Mozambique | $1.1M | 3.5% |
| Cote d'Ivoire | $696K | 2.2% |
| South Sudan | $389K | 1.2% |
Who is behind these numbers in Uganda?
The shipment records behind Uganda packaged medicines imports (HS 3004): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
Tell us what you trade and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
Direct customs feed: shipment-level records from the official customs source.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 3004: Medicaments; (not goods of heading no. 3002, 3005 or 3006) consisting of mixed or unmixed products for therapeutic or prophylactic use, put up in measured doses (incl. those in the form of transdermal admin. systems) or packed for retail sale.
Common questions
What is the value of packaged medicines imported by Uganda?
Uganda imported packaged medicines worth $254.8 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 20.0 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 101st of 225 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 21% on 2023.
Which countries supply packaged medicines to Uganda?
India was the largest supplier with 50% of the value ($126.1 million), followed by China (15%) and Kenya (12%). The top three together account for 76%, out of 75 supplier countries in total. The Netherlands grew fastest among the top ten, up 60% on the year.
What is the average import price of packaged medicines per kg?
The average declared import value was about $12.74 per kg in 2024, 84% below the world average of $80.84 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of packaged medicines to Uganda changed since 2017?
Imports went from $224.4 million in 2017 to $254.8 million in 2024, an increase of 14%. The peak was 2023 at $320.8 million. Over 8 years the average was $276.0 million a year.
Does Uganda also export packaged medicines?
Yes. Uganda exported $32.1 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Zambia, Kenya and Malawi. On balance Uganda is a net importer of this product, by about $222.6 million a year.
What is the HS code for packaged medicines?
The HS code for packaged medicines is heading 3004. In Uganda the largest six-digit codes were 3004.90 (84% of the value) and 3004.60 (5%).
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
The totals here are public statistics; the company-level detail sits in EximDataX, which has a direct customs feed for Uganda. Tell us your product to see it live.
Same product, other countries
Packaged medicines product types in Uganda
See what your buyers are buying.Then decide.
Everything we show you comes from official customs filings — records, not claims. 30 minutes. Your shipment. Your HS code. Real platform. If you don’t see something new about your market by the end of the call, we walk away. No follow-ups.