The cargo link, utilizing a Boeing 767, offers competitive pricing and capacity, which Dr Mkindi urged Tanzanian exporters to leverage to meet China's increasing demand for fresh produce. This development follows President Samia Suluhu Hassan's November 2023 visit to China, which aimed to capitalize on the $174 million market for avocados in China.
The new route is part of a broader strategy to elevate Tanzania's horticultural exports to $2 billion annually by 2030, up from the current $420 million. This growth is expected to create employment opportunities for youth and women along the value chain. "The direct flight advantages both Tanzania and China by reducing transport times and ensuring fresh avocados reach Chinese consumers promptly," she noted.
Previously, sea transport of 24 metric tonnes of Hass avocados took 22 days from Mombasa to Hong Kong, whereas the direct flight reduced this to one day, improving both delivery speed and produce quality. Dr Mkindi acknowledged the contributions of TradeMark Africa (TMA) and the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) in enhancing market access for Tanzanian produce. "Together, we're creating new opportunities and paving the way for a brighter future for Tanzania's agricultural sector," she stated.
With a population exceeding 1.4 billion, China is poised to become the primary market for Tanzanian avocados, surpassing previous reliance on European and Middle Eastern markets. As Africa's third-largest avocado producer, Tanzania has overcome challenges related to sanitary and phytosanitary standards, facilitating access to Chinese markets.
The inaugural direct flight from Dar es Salaam to Guangzhou launched on January 12, with a capacity of 54 tonnes and a flight duration of 10 hours. Air Tanzania's mission to enhance trade through efficient logistics aligns with this development, following recent approval from China's Civil Aviation Administration (CAAC) for direct flights to Guangzhou. This approval came after the historic shipment of Tanzanian organic avocados to China on November 18, 2024, marking two key milestones anticipated to benefit farmers and exporters.
Source: IPP Media