This paper assesses the marketing of edible insects with the aim of understanding the market opportunities, market players, and the value chain of edible insect products in the Lake Victoria basin. A pretested questionnaire was used to collect data on edible insects marketing from 147 edible insect traders in Uganda and Burundi. Results showed that the most commercialised edible insect was Ruspolia differens. The marketing of edible insects was concentrated in urban areas, where they were considered a delicacy. Household collections were largely consumed within the homes and a small proportion was sold to neighbours. The marketing of edible insects was characterised by minimal value addition, lack of standardisation and adequate market information. We find that edible insects have high market potentials, with demand often outstripping supply throughout the year, and unit prices always higher than competing products such as beef, pork and poultry in the market. Marketing of edible insects therefore presents a livelihood opportunity and option for the communities in the Lake Victoria basin. However, for this to be realised there is need to explore options of adding value to edible insects as well as standardising their packaging, weighing and pricing.

Edible insects (EIs) provide an important food source in Africa, but their potential to improve livelihoods and environmental conservation is yet to be fully exploited. This study contributes towards enhancing the use of EIs in the Lake Victoria basin (LVB), with particular attention to local perspectives of the catalogue, ecology, management, collection, processing and consumption. The study was conducted along the LVB in Uganda, Burundi and Rwanda between 2012 and 2013 using a household survey and focus group discussions. Results revealed that up to 20 insect species were eaten in Uganda, 13 in Burundi, and six in Rwanda. In Uganda, the most consumed insects were a katydid grasshopper (Ruspolia differens), palm weevil (Rhynchophorus phoenicis) larvae and termites (Macrotermes), while in Rwanda and Burundi, Macrotermes species were the most consumed. The most common source of EIs in households was their own collection from the wild, although a number of insects were also bought from markets. Local communities reported various ways of collecting, processing and storing insects. Overall, most of these activities require technological interventions. Despite the high consumption of EIs, no deliberate efforts were reported on conservation and rearing of any of the insects consumed in the three countries. This raises serious questions pertaining to the sustainable consumption of EIs, especially in the face of climate change in this region.