South Africa grants market access to Tanzania’s avocado

Tanzania's avocado industry is poised for a significant boost following the recent announcement that South Africa has granted market access to avocado produced in Tanzania. This move marks the end of a decade-long standoff and opens up new opportunities for Tanzanian farmers and exporters. Jacqueline Mkindi, CEO of the Tanzania Horticultural Association, emphasized the positive impact this agreement will have on the sector, the economy, and smallholder farmers in Tanzania. She highlighted the importance of unlocking market opportunities, particularly for avocados, and commended the collaboration between the Tanzanian government and stakeholders to make this possible. Mkindi pointed out that Tanzania is on track to become the largest producer and exporter of avocados in Africa, with a significant portion of production coming from smallholder farmers. In order to ensure that these farmers benefit from the new trade agreement, Tanzania is focused on enhancing productivity, reducing post-harvest losses, and improving market access and compliance with international standards. By empowering farmers with information and investing in market support infrastructure, Tanzania aims to create a conducive environment for smallholder farmers to thrive in the avocado industry. The avocado industry's projected growth is expected to make a substantial contribution to Tanzania's agricultural GDP. Currently, agriculture accounts for over 25% of the country's total export value, with horticulture alone contributing 40-43% of the agricultural export value. Mkindi highlighted the efforts being made to expand production and tap into new markets beyond Africa, such as China and India. The increased investment in the avocado sector, both locally and through foreign direct investment, is driving this growth and positioning Tanzania as a major player in the global avocado market. Looking ahead, Tanzania aims to establish itself as a leading exporter of avocados, with plans to brand its products and enhance value addition through oil processing and other avenues. Mkindi expressed confidence in Tanzania's potential to dominate the avocado market and become synonymous with quality avocados on a global scale. In conclusion, the granting of market access by South Africa to Tanzanian avocados represents a significant milestone for the country's agricultural sector. By leveraging this opportunity and focusing on sustainable growth strategies, Tanzania is poised to play a key role in the global avocado market and further boost its economy through increased exports and investments in value addition.