In a recent development, Tanzania's avocado sector is set to receive an economic uplift as China has granted permission for direct avocado exports from Tanzania, a market estimated to be worth over 150 million US dollars. The Ministry of Agriculture relayed this update to the Tanzania Horticultural Association (TAHA), marking the acceptance of Tanzanian avocados by China from August 14, 2024. Dr Jacqueline Mkindi, TAHA's CEO, highlighted the commencement of efforts to penetrate the Chinese market back in 2018, emphasizing the strategic importance of diplomatic engagement to facilitate market access.
Dr Mkindi acknowledged the Ministry of Agriculture's pivotal role and the instrumental support from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in achieving this milestone. Agriculture Minister, Mr Hussein Bashe, is in the process of finalizing official formalities to solidify China's market access for Tanzanian avocados. This development is timely, considering China's growing demand for avocados, fueled by a health-conscious middle class, positioning Tanzania to pivot from its traditional European and Middle Eastern markets towards China, now the 10th largest avocado importer globally.
The recent state visit of President Samia Suluhu Hassan to Beijing culminated in the signing of a protocol on sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) requirements, a significant step towards enabling the entry of Tanzanian avocados into China. Dr Mkindi lauded this diplomatic achievement, aligning with Tanzania's horticultural export strategy aiming for a $2 billion annual value by 2030. The anticipated growth in Tanzania's avocado industry, with projections indicating a potential increase in production and exports, promises enhanced economic prospects for local farmers, encouraging the adoption of improved agricultural practices and technologies.
Source: Daily News