Tanzania’s avocado industry is undergoing remarkable growth, with production increasing at a steady 20 percent annual rate. By the 2035/36 season, output is expected to more than double to 2.29 million tons, earning the country an estimated USD 2.8 billion in export revenue.
The Tanzania Horticultural Association (TAHA) revealed during a presentation on April 4, 2025, that avocado exports surged from 15,432 tons in the 2020/2021 season to 26,826 tons in 2022/2023 — a 74 percent increase in just two years. For the ongoing 2023/2024 season, TAHA projects exports will reach 31,950 tons.
Horticulture has now overtaken traditional crops as Tanzania’s top agricultural export earner. According to the Bank of Tanzania, the sector generated USD 569.3 million in 2024, ahead of tobacco (USD 517.1 million) and cashew nuts (USD 422.8 million). The country has set its sights on achieving USD 2 billion in horticultural exports by 2030.
“The sector is growing rapidly. If we take care of it and are careful with our decisions and strategies, Tanzania will be able to lead Africa and achieve a sustainable economy,” said TAHA CEO Jacqueline Mkindi.
New Measures to Protect Growers
Amid this rapid expansion, the Tanzanian government is tightening control over avocado trade to shield farmers from exploitation. Plans are underway to register all avocado buyers and their agents, integrating them into a centralized system managed by the Cereals and Other Produce Regulatory Authority (COPRA).
Speaking during a meeting with agricultural cooperatives in Dodoma, COPRA Director General Irene Mlola said the move is aimed at restoring fairness and order in the market. “The government wants to ensure that buyers are registered and their agents identified and recognized. This will help protect our farmers from being exploited,” she told growers.
Under the new framework, avocado sales will be restricted to designated collection centers, effectively ending farmgate transactions that have long left growers vulnerable to price manipulation. Ms. Mlola warned that any buyer or agent found violating trade guidelines — including cheating or underpaying farmers — would have their licenses revoked.
Trading will also be aligned with officially set harvest periods, and growers will work closely with COPRA on trade and grading processes. The move follows repeated complaints about unscrupulous buyers setting prices unilaterally, often well below market rates.
Key Markets and Export Challenges
Europe remains Tanzania’s top avocado market, taking in 40 percent of the country’s exports, followed by India at 30 percent, the Middle East at 19 percent, and other destinations, including South Africa, Kenya, and China, absorbing the remaining 11 percent. The Indian market, in particular, offers a competitive edge due to shorter shipping times of 12 to 14 days and duty exemptions, while key rival Kenya faces a 30 percent customs duty on CIF value.
However, exporters continue to face logistical hurdles, especially in the European market. The ongoing Red Sea crisis has extended shipping times from 27 days to between 45 and 60 days and driven up container costs from USD 10,000-11,000 to USD 12,800. TAHA has pointed out that shifting from the Mombasa port to Dar es Salaam could save exporters about USD 2,500 per shipment.
Meanwhile, the Chinese market presents both opportunities and challenges. While demand is rising, Tanzanian exporters contend with lengthy registration and inspection procedures, alongside lower market prices of USD 2.90-3.80 per box, compared to USD 4.80-7.80 in other destinations.
A Fast-Rising Sector
Before 2020, Tanzania’s annual avocado production was less than 50,000 tons. The industry’s explosive growth since then has placed the country among Africa’s fastest-growing avocado producers. To sustain this momentum, TAHA is running initiatives under the Horticultural Export Acceleration Program (HEAP), which include grower training, improving market infrastructure, opening new export opportunities, and advocating for better business conditions.
TAHA has also established a presence in European markets and the United Kingdom to support market access, positioning the country’s avocado sector for further growth while ensuring farmers are better protected and fairly rewarded for their produce.