Horti exports from Tanzania surged 12 times in the last five years, becoming a leading subsector that drives agricultural sector growth. The subsector exports value surged to US$779 million last year, up from US$64 million in 2004, according to Tanzania Horticultural Association (TAHA).
TAHA Business Environment Manager, Kelvin Remen told The Daily News that foreign direct investment has played a very significant role in increasing growth of the horticulture industry by importing technological and expertise. He said as more private investors join the industry, growth will continue to surge. Mr Remen said every year the horticultural farmers improve and increase productivity, thus getting better and more produce with available markets locally and abroad.
TAHA also avails market information to growers, showing them best practices to improve productivity. Horticultural crops grown in Tanzania include flowers, vegetables, fruits and spices. On July 2020, Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Mr Hussein Bashe, said the government will revive the leading horticulture estate on the southern slopes of Mount Meru in Arusha. Mr Bashe said the move will bolster horticultural production and realize its annual export value from the current $779 million to $3billion come 2025.