Ahmed Salim, Director of AFRIFARM sees Avocado as Nutritional Answer to Malnutrition in Tanzania

At the 2024 Nane Nane Agricultural International Expo, the spotlight was on a promising crop: avocado. Speaking at the inaugural Avocado Day, Ahmed Salim, Director of Operations at ASAS Group, delivered an address highlighting this burgeoning sector’s significance. The event marked a milestone for AfriFarm, a company under the ASAS Group of Companies, as it celebrated the first-ever dedicated Avocado Pavilion at the Expo.

Ahmed welcomed attendees to this momentous occasion, expressing gratitude on behalf of AfriFarm’s Board of Directors. “It has been a dream for the Board and management to have something like this,” he remarked, emphasising the importance of Avocado Day as a pivotal moment for Tanzania’s avocado industry. With stakeholders from across the agricultural and logistics sectors in attendance, the event showcased the collaboration required to strengthen the avocado value chain.

The southern highlands, particularly Njombe, were a central focus of Asas’ speech. Known for their avocado production, these regions paradoxically face high malnutrition rates. Asas lamented this reality, noting that addressing local malnutrition is as crucial as avocado exports. “If each Tanzanian ate one avocado a day, we would consume 1,000 tons of avocado annually—far more than we currently export,” he said, underscoring the fruit’s nutritional benefits.

Ahmed Salim also praised SAGCOT for its foundational role in supporting the event. By involving local farmers, logistics experts, restaurant owners, and other stakeholders, the Avocado Pavilion showcased a holistic approach to health and business. Asas hoped this event would spark greater local consumption and attract more investors, noting that “after this first event, it will open opportunities for more investment.”

The Avocado Day celebration marked a shift in Tanzania’s agricultural narrative, presenting the fruit as an export product and a solution to the country’s nutritional challenges. By fostering local consumption and increasing awareness of the health benefits of avocados, Asas believes that both the industry and the population can thrive.

Ahmed thanked all involved, particularly the Ministry of Agriculture, whose blessing made the event possible. He confidently predicted that this Avocado Day would be the first of many, setting the stage for Tanzania to become a leader in avocado production and consumption on the African continent.

Boosting Nutrition and Economic Growth through Avocado Consumption

Ahmed Salim advocates that increased avocado consumption in Tanzania can significantly enhance nutrition and overall dietary health. Avocados are rich in essential nutrients, including healthy fats, vitamins, potassium, and fibre—key to addressing nutrient deficiencies prevalent in many country regions. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), 100 grams of avocado provides 26% of the recommended daily intake of Vitamin K and 20% of folate, both critical for human health and development.

Promoting local consumption of this nutrient-dense fruit aligns with Tanzania’s national agenda to foster healthy eating habits and support sustainable agriculture. Tanzania’s avocado production is growing steadily, yet local consumption remains disproportionately low compared to export volumes. Increasing avocado consumption locally and expanding exports could combat malnutrition while contributing to economic development.

By boosting demand, the avocado value chain can create more employment opportunities in agriculture, packaging, and logistics, benefiting rural communities. As local and global demand for avocados rises, smallholder farmers can experience increased yields, improved market access, and greater financial returns, contributing to rural transformation.

As part of an integrated, broader holistic strategy that addresses the root causes of malnutrition—including actions in education, healthcare, and diversified agricultural practices—Avocado consumption is critical to achieving long-term food security and sustainable nutrition. By combining these interventions with avocado-driven agricultural initiatives, Tanzania can advance its goals for economic growth, food sovereignty, and improved livelihoods.