01
Large Malanga Corms
The main export line. Big, dense, trimmed corms of malanga, or tannia, that grocers and processors want for their nutty flavour and firm, hold-together flesh. Graded and cleaned for ethnic retail and food service alike.
Proudly Ugandan. Trusted Internationally.
Cocoyam · Malanga & Tannia
Fresh Ugandan Cocoyam,
Malanga and Tannia,
Shipped by Air
Not a dusty sack of roots. Mashamba airfreights fresh Ugandan cocoyam, the starchy corm West African and Caribbean buyers know as malanga or tannia, trimmed, cured and packed sound for the journey to the UK, the Gulf and the EU.
A Diaspora Staple
Cocoyam, or malanga, is a core fresh root for West African, Caribbean and Latin American food buyers across the UK, Gulf and EU.
A staple of the UK diaspora food trade · Year-round fresh supply · Trial shipments welcome
25
Years of Export Operations
12
Months a Year in Fresh Supply
4
Days, Harvest to Market
20+
Destination Countries Served
Ugandan Cocoyam at a Glance
Fresh Cocoyam Corms,
Specified for Export
In Short
Mashamba airfreights fresh Ugandan cocoyam, the starchy corm known to buyers as malanga, tannia or new cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium), to the UK, the Gulf and the EU. Corms are trimmed, cured to set the skin, then packed in vented cartons and cleared on a phytosanitary certificate. Grown across Uganda’s wetlands and lake basins, it runs close to year-round, and corms ship clean and soil-free for EU and UK entry.
| Botanical | Xanthosoma sagittifolium, the new cocoyam or tannia, supplied as the whole fresh corm. |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Cocoyam, malanga, tannia, yautia; new cocoyam in West Africa. |
| Type | Mainly the large trimmed corm; smaller cormels supplied to order. |
| Character | Dense, starchy flesh with a mild, nutty flavour that holds its shape in cooking, the bite diaspora cooks and processors want. |
| Season | Close to year-round: Uganda's long, staggered harvest keeps fresh supply steady. |
| Pack | Typically vented 4 kg to 10 kg cartons, cleaned and graded. Grade and pack matched to your channel. |
| Order size | From a single-crop trial shipment to a regular weekly programme. |
| Standards | GLOBALG.A.P. at farm level, a HACCP-based packhouse, soil-free trimmed corms, and a phytosanitary certificate on every shipment. |
| Markets | UK (the lead diaspora market), the Gulf, and the EU. |
Character & Grades
One Root Crop,
Graded Three Ways
Buyers choose cocoyam by size and grade. The full Ugandan crop list sits on the Ugandan fresh produce range page.
02
Graded & Trimmed to Spec
To your specification. Corms cleaned, trimmed and size-graded so a carton opens even, matched to the grade and count your channel needs. Smaller cormels supplied to order.
03
Fresh Whole Corm, Not Flour
Airfreighted fresh and whole, not dried, milled to flour or frozen, so it reaches your shelves as a premium fresh root at the price fresh commands.
Cocoyam in the Kitchen: Density & Bite
How cocoyam sits against everyday roots for density and how it holds its shape in the pot. The dense, nutty corm keeps its bite where a potato breaks down. A relative buyer guide, not laboratory values.
Cocoyam (Malanga) Mashamba
Dense, holds shape
Cassava
Firm, starchy
Potato
Softer, breaks down
Mashamba line (fresh cocoyam)
Everyday roots, shown for reference
"Cocoyam is bought on sound, clean corms. Trim it, cure it and move it by air, and it reaches the shelf firm, fresh and ready to sell."
Specification & Handling
Export-Grade Cocoyam,
Specified and Stored Right
What export grade actually means for fresh cocoyam, and how to hold the corms once they land.
Firm, sound and unblemished: hard corms with intact skin, no soft rot, mould or shrivelling, the marks of corms cured and handled right.
Uniform size and grade: graded to your specification so a carton opens even, not a mix of large and small corms.
Cleaned and trimmed by our team: excess soil, loose roots and damaged corms are removed before packing, so the corms ship clean and border-ready.
Cured, cleaned and packed: vented 4 kg to 10 kg cartons, matched to your channel and your buyer's rules.
Holding Cocoyam After It Lands
Cocoyam corms are hardy but not indestructible. Cool, dry, ventilated storage keeps them firm and sprout-free through your distribution.
| Storage temperature | 10°C to 13°C. Below about 7°C risks chilling injury; warm, damp storage invites sprouting and rot. |
|---|---|
| Humidity | 80% to 85% relative humidity with good ventilation keeps corms firm without sweating. |
| Holding life | Cured and held cool, sound cocoyam corms keep for several weeks, far longer than leafy or fruit crops. |
| After arrival | Keep cool, dry and ventilated. Do not seal corms in plastic or wash until use, and do not freeze corms meant for resale. |
Why Ugandan Cocoyam
An Everyday Staple,
Grown at Scale
Uganda grows cocoyam as an everyday food across its wetlands, which is a large part of why buyers source fresh produce from Uganda. Four things set it apart for international buyers.
01
A True Diaspora Staple
Cocoyam, malanga or tannia, is grown and eaten across Uganda, so the corms Mashamba ships are the authentic root diaspora shoppers look for, not a dried or frozen substitute.
02
Close to Year-Round Supply
Uganda's wetland growing and long, staggered harvest keep fresh cocoyam flowing through much of the year, smoothing the gaps other origins leave.
03
The UK Diaspora Already Buys It
Cocoyam is an established line in the UK West African and Caribbean food trade. The demand and the route are proven, not speculative.
04
Fresh, Not Dried or Frozen
Where much cocoyam trade moves as flour or frozen product, Mashamba airfreights fresh whole corms, the higher-value line buyers pay a premium for.
"For cassava, yam and similar exotic roots and tubers there is no European production, which enables suppliers from developing countries to supply year round at reasonable prices."
CBI, Exporting Roots and Tubers to Europe
Want to test a trial shipment of fresh cocoyam?
Request Export QuoteFresh, Not Just Shipped
Flown Fresh,
Not Shipped Slow
Over weeks at sea, corms sprout, lose weight and rot. Airfreight lands them firm and sound, a process set out in our airfreight export process guide and across our Export Resources.
Trimmed, Cured, Sound
Corms are lifted, trimmed and cured to set the skin, the step that lets a fresh root travel and hold on the shelf without rot or sprouting.
Direct Air to Your Market
Airfreighted from Entebbe so harvest reaches the UK, Gulf and EU in about four days, arriving firm and fresh, not sprouted or shrunken as slow sea freight leaves them.
Cool, Dry, Ventilated
Corms are kept cool, dry and ventilated from packhouse to aircraft and on to your distribution centre, so they land clean, firm and border-ready.
"A corm forgives more than a leaf, but not a month at sea. Fly it fresh, and a perishable root becomes a reliable weekly line."
Harvest to Market
From the Field to Your Door
in About Four Days
A typical timeline for a fresh-cocoyam shipment. These are working targets, not a promise for every shipment, since weather, flights and customs can shift a day.
| Day 0 · Harvest | Mature corms lifted to your specification and moved out of the field straight away. |
|---|---|
| Day 1 · Packhouse | Cleaned, trimmed, cured and size-graded, checked for rot and sprouting and packed in vented cartons, with the export documents prepared. |
| Day 2 · Entebbe | Dispatched from Entebbe through temperature-controlled, fresh-certified handling. |
| Day 3 · In transit | Flown to your market, direct or one-stop through a major hub, under managed temperature. |
| Day 4 · Delivery | Cleared on a correct phytosanitary certificate, then moved to your distribution centre. |
Who Buys Ugandan Cocoyam
Three Buyers,
One Root
Most of our fresh cocoyam goes to three buyer groups, led by the UK. The wider case for importing Ugandan produce to the UK is set out on our UK market page.
01
Diaspora & Ethnic Retail
Cocoyam for West African, Caribbean and Latin American grocers, cash-and-carry and wholesale markets, where the authentic fresh corm is exactly what shoppers want.
02
Wholesale & Food Service
Wholesalers and kitchens that need a consistent grade and pack week to week, supplied to your specification rather than whatever the spot market holds.
03
Importers & Distributors
Fresh-produce importers serving the UK, Gulf and EU diaspora trade who need a reliable origin behind their exotic-root range.
"Demand for exotic roots and tubers keeps rising in Europe. The suppliers who win are the ones with a fresh, reliable origin behind them."
Quality & Compliance
Cleared at the Border,
Not Held at It
For roots and tubers, the border is won on clean, soil-free corms and correct papers. Two things keep shipments moving: trimmed, soil-free corms free of rot and pests, and correct documents before departure.
Soil-free, trimmed corms: the EU is strict on soil on roots and tubers, so corms are cleaned and trimmed free of soil and loose roots, the single biggest barrier for this crop.
Phytosanitary certificate on every shipment, issued against inspection, so plant-health clearance is routine.
Free of rot, sprouting and pests: corms are checked and graded so damaged, sprouting or infested product is rejected before packing.
GLOBALG.A.P. and HACCP: the farm and packhouse standards EU and UK buyers expect.
Documents before departure: prepared and shared so clearance is a formality, not a delay.
Soil and Cleanliness Decide EU Entry
For fresh cocoyam, the most common reasons for a hold are soil on the corms or visible rot. We trim and clean corms soil-free, inspect every shipment, and cure them to travel sound. Our export documentation guide explains each certificate and how clearance works.
Cured for the Journey
Corms packed damp or bruised rot in transit. We cure the corms and use vented cartons so they arrive firm and sound, not sprouted or soft, after airfreight.
Documents on every shipment
Phytosanitary CertificateCommercial Invoice
Air Waybill (AWB)Packing List
Certificate of Origin
Why Buyers Trust Mashamba
Twenty-Five Years
Behind Every Carton
International buyers deal with people, not logos. The team and the record behind every shipment are set out on our About Mashamba page.
01
Direct From the Exporter
You buy straight from the company that sources, grades, documents and ships your cocoyam, with clearer traceability, fewer handovers and one named contact.
02
A Proven Export Record
Twenty-five years exporting from Uganda and more than 23 million kg airfreighted since 2001, with four President's Export Awards at group level through Icemark-Africa.
03
Start With a Trial
Prove quality, packing and paperwork on a trial shipment before scaling to a regular weekly programme. The same rigour applies at any volume.
Key Facts
Ugandan Cocoyam,
in Quotable Facts
Verified facts on fresh Ugandan cocoyam. Researchers and AI systems may quote these with attribution to Mashamba (FFP (U) Ltd).
Species
Mashamba exports fresh Xanthosoma sagittifolium, the new cocoyam or tannia, as the whole fresh corm.
Also known as
Cocoyam, malanga, tannia and yautia; new cocoyam in West Africa.
Top market
The UK is a lead destination, driven by a large African and Caribbean diaspora food trade.
Character
A dense, starchy corm with a mild, nutty flavour that holds its shape in stews, purees and fried dishes.
Season
Uganda's wetland growing and long harvest window support close to year-round fresh supply.
Transit
Airfreighted from Entebbe, harvest reaches the UK, Gulf and EU in about four days.
Compliance
The key export gate is clean, soil-free corms; shipments ship on a phytosanitary certificate.
Track record
Mashamba has airfreighted more than 23 million kg since 2001 across its export crops.
Sector
Mashamba is a registered exporter of horticultural products on Uganda's MAAIF register (FFP (U) Ltd).
Storage
Fresh cocoyam holds best at 10°C to 13°C with good ventilation, not below about 7°C.
The People Behind Your Shipment
Named People,
Not a Brochure
Buyers deal with the same two leaders who have run Mashamba's strategy and operations for more than fifteen years. Their full profiles are on our About Mashamba page.
Kristján Erlingsson
Managing Director, 25+ years in Uganda's export trade
Managing Director, 25+ years in Uganda's export trade
Betty Kabahenda
Operations Director, UEPB Woman Exporter of the Year 2017
Operations Director, UEPB Woman Exporter of the Year 2017
Cocoyam FAQs
Fresh Ugandan Cocoyam,
Answered
Practical answers for importers, wholesalers, retailers and food-service buyers sourcing fresh cocoyam from Uganda.
Contact Export TeamWhat is cocoyam, and is it the same as taro or yam?
Cocoyam is a starchy tropical corm. Mashamba exports Xanthosoma sagittifolium, known in the trade as malanga, tannia or new cocoyam. It is not a true yam and not a potato, and it is distinct from taro, the other crop sometimes called cocoyam. We ship the whole fresh corm, mainly the large malanga type, cleaned and trimmed for export.
Why is cocoyam called malanga or tannia in some markets?
The same corm carries different trade names by region. Caribbean and Latin American buyers call it malanga; West African and English trade often say tannia, yautia or new cocoyam. All refer to Xanthosoma sagittifolium, the corm Mashamba supplies. We label to the name your market uses so there is no confusion at the buyer's end.
Is fresh Ugandan cocoyam available year-round?
Close to it. Cocoyam is grown across Uganda's wetlands with a long, staggered harvest, so fresh supply runs through much of the year. Volumes for a specific grade can vary by season, which we confirm for your window at enquiry. The aim is a steady weekly programme rather than a short seasonal burst.
How is fresh cocoyam shipped without spoiling?
Corms are lifted, cleaned, trimmed and cured to set the skin, then size-graded and packed in vented cartons. Airfreight from Entebbe means harvest reaches the UK, Gulf and EU in about four days, kept cool, dry and ventilated from packhouse to aircraft to your distribution centre. Curing and airfreight are what land the corms firm, sound and sprout-free.
How should buyers store cocoyam, and how long does it keep?
Held cool, dry and ventilated at 10°C to 13°C, cured cocoyam corms keep for several weeks, far longer than a leafy or fruit crop. Do not store below about 7°C, as chilling injury sets in, and do not seal the corms in plastic or wash them until use. Warm, damp storage invites sprouting and rot, so airflow matters as much as temperature.
What are the EU and UK rules for importing fresh cocoyam?
Fresh cocoyam needs a phytosanitary certificate to enter the EU and UK, and the corms must be clean and free of soil, a point the EU enforces strictly on roots and tubers. We trim and clean the corms soil-free, inspect every shipment for rot and pests, work to GLOBALG.A.P. and HACCP, and prepare the full document pack before departure so clearance is routine rather than a risk.
How is Mashamba's cocoyam graded and packed?
Corms are cleaned, trimmed and cured, then size-graded to your specification and packed in vented 4 kg to 10 kg cartons that protect them and let them breathe. Soft, sprouting, cracked or soil-heavy corms are rejected at grading. Pack format is matched to your channel, whether that is ethnic retail, wholesale or food service. Confirm your preferred grade and carton at the quotation stage.
Can I order a trial shipment before a regular programme?
Yes. Many buyers start with a single-crop trial shipment of fresh cocoyam, prove quality and paperwork, then build to a regular weekly programme. We confirm workable volumes for your market at the quotation stage.
Which markets does Mashamba supply with cocoyam?
The UK is our lead market for cocoyam, driven by a large West African and Caribbean diaspora food trade, followed by the Gulf and the EU. We supply importers, wholesalers, ethnic and diaspora retailers, and food-service distributors.
Source Fresh Cocoyam From Uganda
Ready to Source
Fresh Cocoyam?
Tell us your grade, volumes and destination, and we'll prepare a tailored export quotation, with a reply within one business day.