Tanzania is positioning its horticulture sector as a central driver of agricultural transformation, with an ambitious plan to push export earnings to $2 billion by 2030. The strategy comes on the back of strong momentum. In the year ending March 2024, horticultural exports rose by 40.6% to reach $417.9 million, a sharp increase that underscores the sector’s rapid expansion over the past decade. Since 2014, horticultural exports have recorded steady growth, with the sector’s share of total agricultural exports climbing to 38% in 2022.
High-value crops are at the heart of this success story. Avocados, for instance, are carving out space in premium international markets, while spices such as cloves and black pepper are diversifying export earnings. Fresh vegetables also remain a significant contributor, reflecting both domestic strengths and the global demand for healthier diets.
This performance is closely tied to Agenda 10/30, Tanzania’s agricultural development blueprint that seeks to achieve 10% annual growth in the sector by 2030. Developed in collaboration with the Tanzania Horticulture Association (TAHA), the agenda has been matched with stronger state backing. In the 2023/24 financial year, the Ministry of Agriculture received a 30% budget increase, allowing for more targeted interventions. Policy measures have included tax exemptions on agricultural machinery and inputs, along with youth- and women-focused programs like the Building a Better Tomorrow (BBT) initiative aimed at unlocking opportunities in agribusiness.
Yet for all its gains, Tanzania’s horticulture industry continues to struggle with post-harvest losses, which are estimated to consume up to 40% of total production. Poor handling practices, inadequate storage and processing capacity, and gaps in the cold chain mean that a significant share of crops never make it to market. The government has begun to respond with infrastructure projects such as the planned “Green Terminal” at Dar-es-Salaam port, which will feature advanced cold storage facilities. Still, challenges inland remain acute. A shortage of refrigerated trucks, combined with poor rural road conditions, means that much of the produce spoils before it can even reach export hubs.
To reduce these losses, experts have urged investment in decentralized cold storage facilities located close to production zones. Such infrastructure would give farmers greater flexibility, allowing them to preserve their harvests and release them to the market when demand and prices are favorable. The government’s recent acquisition of a dedicated cargo aircraft has been welcomed as a step forward in strengthening logistics. However, stakeholders note that more medium-sized cargo planes, improved inland connectivity, and streamlined export procedures will be required to fully unlock the sector’s potential.
Another critical opportunity lies in value addition. Currently, a large portion of Tanzania’s horticultural exports are shipped in raw form, limiting the country’s earnings. Expanding processing capacity for dried fruits, juices, essential oils, and spice products could significantly boost revenues while creating new employment opportunities along the value chain. Combined with the adoption of modern farming practices such as precision agriculture and climate-resilient seed varieties this approach could raise productivity while helping farmers adapt to growing climate risks.
Extension services are also set to play a bigger role. The government is exploring the use of digital platforms to deliver real-time information on markets, weather, and agronomic best practices. Such tools would allow farmers, especially smallholders, to make better production and marketing decisions.
Financing remains a hurdle. Many small-scale farmers lack access to affordable credit, making it difficult to invest in improved inputs, technologies, and infrastructure. The government and industry stakeholders are calling on banks and financial institutions to design tailored financing solutions ranging from microloans for individual growers to larger credit packages for cooperatives and investors in processing and logistics.
Ultimately, the success of Tanzania’s $2 billion export ambition will hinge on coordination across multiple fronts: infrastructure, logistics, technology, and human capital. The trajectory so far demonstrates that horticulture can be a pillar of national economic growth, but sustaining this momentum will require deeper structural investments and policy consistency. If achieved, the Agenda 10/30 target would not only diversify Tanzania’s export base but also create lasting opportunities for farmers, entrepreneurs, and rural communities across the country.