Tanzania grows avocado exports as farmers and investors expand orchards

TANZANIA – Tanzania exports an average of 36,520 tons of avocados each year, earning about US$79 million annually.

Officials say the country wants to move closer to Africa’s top exporters by expanding planting areas and bringing more growers into production rather than chasing quick volume gains.

Expanding orchards across regions

Public and private players have rolled out projects to raise supply in southern and western regions. The Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania has set up about 243 hectares of avocado orchards in the Ruvuma region with around 600 farmers. In Morogoro, growers have planted a further 81 hectares, with about 200 farmers managing roughly 0.4 hectares each. Similar block farming efforts now run in Kigoma in western Tanzania.

SAGCOT chief executive Geoffrey Kirenga said rising demand gives Tanzania room to grow if farmers receive the right support. “If we support our farmers with things like quality seedlings and subsidized inputs like fertilizers, Tanzania can become a leading exporter of avocados,” Kirenga said. He added that post harvest handling still limits results.

To widen production, the country has started an initiative to set up larger avocado plantations in new high potential areas. The farms use a block system where each grower manages a defined plot size. The approach helps coordinate planting and harvesting while keeping smallholders at the center.

Training and storage needs

SAGCOT also runs the Tajirika na Lusitu scheme, which started in Lusitu village in Njombe Rural District. The scheme trains farmers on recommended agronomic practices for avocado as a cash crop. Graduates now train peers in other regions through a farmers to farmers model, which speeds up skills transfer and adoption.

Kirenga said infrastructure will decide the pace of future growth, especially cold storage and cold chain facilities that protect fruit quality for export. “Lowering tax burdens on avocado exports would attract more investors in the farming sector and ultimately increase government revenue through higher trade volumes,” he stated.

Markets and outlook

The Ministry of Agriculture targets national production of 290,000 tons, up from the current average of about 200,000 tons. Njombe, Mbeya, and Kilimanjaro lead output thanks to suitable altitude and soils. Exporters mainly ship Hass and Fuerte varieties to Asia, Europe, India, and the Middle East.

Globally, the avocado market stands at about US$9.14 billion. The United States leads imports with about 77.6 percent, followed by Canada at 8.2 percent, with Japan, Spain, and the Netherlands also key buyers. As Tanzania builds farms, skills, and storage, exporters expect steadier supply and better returns.

Sign up to receive our email newsletters with the latest news updates and insights from Africa and the World HERE.