Uganda’s avocado industry has experienced rapid growth in recent years thanks to companies such as Musubi Farm, which have worked to develop this product’s image in the global market. The European market has been very important for Hass avocado growing, but there are other potential markets especially in the Middle East.
With the demanding international market opening up, farmers are advised to grow Hass avocado. Sulma Foods, an agro-processing and export firm in Luweero District is among the latest entrants in the business. Managing Director Abdul Karim Farid Karama says that the market demands more Hass avocado. As a company, they have planted a mother garden from which they will propagate seedlings they will supply to farmers.
Monitor.co.ug reports that, at the end of the 2009 avocado season, approximately 693,000 tons of avocados were exported around the world. In 2019, the number of avocados exported shot to 2,140,000 tons. Kenya is among the top 10 exporters while Tanzania, which started in the 2009-10 season with less than 100 tons, is gaining prominence.
Tanzania exports to increase by 25 percent
Tanzania’s earnings from avocado exports are projected to reach $45 million (about Sh100 billion) come 2023 up from $33 million (about Sh75 billion) currently. The projection is based on plans to increase export volumes of the product to 15,000 tons which is 3,763 tons up compared to 11,237 tons exported last year.
The 2021 exports accounted for 510 containers that were shipped to the international market, whereby this volume was an increase by 12.6 percent compared to those of 2020.
“The new market includes some Gulf states, therefore, expanding the country’s market reach globally. This is the outcome of a commendable job done by various stakeholders, including ministers in opening up the market for Tanzanian products,” she observed.
Source: thecitizen.co.tz