Africa-Press – Tanzania. A remarkable 74 per cent rise in avocado exports, from 15,432 tons in 2021 to 26,826 tons in 2023, while the Tanzania Horticultural Association (TAHA) is still compiling figures for 2024.
Dr. Jacqueline Mkindi, the TAHA CEO, said at the inaugural avocado stakeholders’ conference here over the weekend, that In terms of revenue avocado exports contributed $44.3m to the national economy in 2021, rising to $77.3m in 2023.
TAHA projects hat avocado production reached 195,000 tons in 2023, with exports expected to total 31,950 tons for the 2023/2024 season, while data compilation is still in progress, she stated.
She similarly pointed at dramatic growth in the global avocado market, valued at $2.39bn in 2013, surging to $7.3bn in 2023, whereas Tanzania’s avocado production grew by 20 percent annually across five years.
The principal markets for avocados produced locally are Europe (40 percent), India (30pc) and the Middle East (19pc), while China, South Africa and Kenya account for the remaining 11 per cent sales, she said.
At the conference, which was organized by TAHA in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture through COPRA, she said that with strategic investments and growing global demand, Tanzania’s avocado industry is on track to become a major player
TAHA’s initiatives like training farmers, market access facilitation, pack house construction, logistics through TAHA Fresh, and certification services via Greencert, are driving this growth, she further noted.
Additionally, the Horticultural Exports Acceleration Program (HEAP) is targeting the UK market, while new offices attached to diplomatic missions in Europe and the UK are streamlining access to these markets, she stated.
TAHA is optimistic that by 2030, the horticultural sector will surpass the national target of $2bn in export value, she said, pointing out that avocado alone could contribute $714m by 2030/31.
“That’s just one piece of a sub-sector targeting $2bb in overall export value. We haven’t even discussed other value chains like vegetables, flowers, bitter gourd and spices,”she said, expressing gratitude to Trademark Africa for its significant support in expanding market access.
TAHA is also investing in new value chains, including macadamia, oranges, and sweet melon, while fostering strategic partnerships with the government, regional trade associations like the Horticulture Council of Eastern Africa (HoCEA), the East African Business Council (EABC), COMESA, and the EAC Horticulture Accelerator (CEHA).
In addition, TAHA is strengthening its relationships with global distributors such as Westphalia, a notable UK agent, along with HL Hall & Sons, to capture a significant share of the India and China markets.
Dr. Irine Madeje, the director general of COPRA, credited the increase in production to new markets in China, India and the UAE, as well as infrastructure improvements such as four avocado oil factories, collection centers in two districts, and three packaging facilities. These developments have boosted yields from 50kg to 180kg per tree, she added.
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