Tanzania Secures Groundbreaking Market Access for Avocados in China

Dar es Salaam

Tanzania seeks to generate $2 billion annually from avocado

In 2015, Tanzanice Co. Ltd. embarked on a mission to showcase Tanzania’s high-quality avocados on the global stage, focusing on the Southern Highlands within the SAGCOT Corridor. This pioneering effort laid the groundwork for Tanzania’s avocado export strategy to European markets. The recent breakthrough by Africado, Rutuba, and Usa Limited in accessing China’s lucrative market builds on this foundation, further establishing Tanzania as a global leader in avocado production and export.

In a significant stride for Tanzania’s agricultural sector, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and the Tanzania Plant Health and Pesticide Authority (TPHPA) have successfully facilitated the entry of the first three Tanzanian companies into the Chinese avocado market. This achievement signals a new chapter for Tanzanian exporters, opening up a market valued at over $150 million annually.

The three Tanzanian companies selected to begin exporting avocados to China are Usa River Avocados Ltd. (Arusha), Rutuba Farm (Iringa), and Africado Ltd. (Kilimanjaro). These farms were chosen for video inspections by China’s General Administration of Customs (GACC), marking a key step towards unlocking market access. If these inspections go well, it could pave the way for other Tanzanian farms to join in exporting to the Chinese market, which presents a significant opportunity for the country’s avocado industry.

Mdili Katemani, manager of plant health compliance and trade facilitation at TPHPA, lauded this milestone, highlighting the rigorous efforts of all parties involved. “This is the result of tireless dedication by the government and our partners, and it brings hope to our traders and farmers. Many more will benefit in the coming years,” Katemani noted, referring to the positive impact expected from this breakthrough.

The process has been part of the “Strengthening Plant Health in Tanzania for Enhanced Food Safety” (STREPHIT) project, implemented with FAO’s guidance. This project has been instrumental in meeting the stringent regulatory requirements set by China’s General Administration of Customs (GACC), ensuring that Tanzanian avocados meet the rigorous phytosanitary standards necessary for export.

Unlocking China’s Market: A Rigorous Process

“FAO’s close support was essential in navigating the complex export criteria set by the Chinese market,” explained Katemani. Tanzania’s ability to export three key avocado varieties—Hass, Fuerte, and Pinkertons—is a direct result of compliance with these standards. For local producers to export, they must register with the GACC through TPHPA, ensuring that production farms, pack-houses, and fumigation companies adhere to strict traceability and pest management protocols.

The first shipments to China must be free from quarantine pests like fruit flies, codling moths, and mealybugs, and meet rigorous storage and packaging requirements. These protocols, established during President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s 2023 state visit to China, represent the culmination of a multi-year effort that began in 2018, when the Tanzania Horticultural Association (TAHA) first identified China as a high-potential market.

A New Era for Tanzanian Agriculture

While Tanzanian avocados have been primarily exported to Europe and the Middle East, the entry into the Chinese market marks a transformative shift. China, now the world’s 10th-largest avocado importer, represents a major opportunity for Tanzanian farmers. The growing demand for avocados, driven by China’s health-conscious middle class, aligns perfectly with Tanzania’s broader strategy to increase horticultural exports.

This access is expected to significantly boost Tanzania’s avocado exports, currently valued at around $30 million annually, with projections suggesting a rise to over $50 million by 2026. The new market will not only benefit established export companies like Africado and Rungwe Avocados but also open doors for smaller farmers, many of whom rely on the avocado sector for their livelihoods.

Looking Ahead: A Catalyst for Economic Growth

This historic achievement is not just a win for Tanzania’s avocado industry but a step toward broader agricultural growth. Tanzania’s horticultural export strategy aims to generate $2 billion annually by 2030, with avocados positioned as a key driver. As more companies meet the Chinese market’s export requirements, the potential for further expansion grows.

As Katemani concluded, “This is just the beginning. We expect many more Tanzanian companies to benefit from this market access, and it will greatly enhance the economic prospects for our local farmers and the national economy as a whole.” The three pioneering companies are just the first of many expected to take advantage of this new, lucrative export channel.