East Africa's apple trade: Tracking current consumption and export trends

East Africa's apple industry is experiencing a significant surge in growth as countries like Tanzania, Kenya, and Rwanda are investing heavily in promoting local apple farming. In a recent interview with CNBC Africa, David Alexander Runge, the Commercial Director and Partner at Tamu Tamu Tanzania, shared insights on the current state of the apple trade in the region. Runge highlighted that Tanzania alone is importing around $75 million worth of apples annually, while Kenya and Uganda follow suit with $100 million and $50 million, respectively. Despite the popularity of apples in the region, all countries are heavily reliant on imports. To address this issue, Tamu Tamu Tanzania has taken a proactive approach by producing and selling apple trees to local farmers, paving the way for domestic apple production. Runge emphasized the importance of research and development in determining the most suitable apple varieties for East Africa's unique climate. The company's efforts have garnered significant interest, leading to potential expansion into other East African markets. Runge pointed out the challenges of achieving cost competitiveness with imported apples due to economies of scale but highlighted Tamu Tamu Tanzania's focus on value addition through products like apple juice and cider. Despite the hurdles, the company remains optimistic about the future of the local apple industry and is committed to driving innovation and sustainability in the sector.