Tanzania exported 52,000 tonnes of avocados during the 2025/2026 season, surpassing its 2030 target of 40,000 tonnes four years ahead of schedule. The shipment represents a 237 per cent jump from the 15,432.77 tonnes exported in 2020/2021, according to figures presented at the Third National Avocado Stakeholders' Forum in Dodoma. The surge in exports has generated substantial foreign exchange revenues, with earnings climbing from 44.2 million US dollars in 2020/2021 to 97.2 million US dollars in 2025/2026, a 120.4 per cent increase. Domestic production also expanded markedly, rising from 149,340 tonnes to 203,473 tonnes over the same five-year period, equivalent to growth of 36.24 per cent.
Speaking at the forum opening, Agriculture Minister Daniel Chongolo attributed the achievement to collaboration between government and private-sector players. He said the milestone demonstrated that avocados have emerged as an important commercial crop for creating employment, attracting investment, increasing farmers' incomes and generating foreign exchange. Mr Chongolo explained that the success was driven by joint efforts in strengthening production, markets and infrastructure, as well as establishing systems that facilitate formal, transparent and efficient trade across the value chain. He stressed the need to deepen this collaboration to accelerate further industry development and set more ambitious targets.
Government efforts underpinning the sector's growth have included creating a conducive investment environment and supporting production systems. According to Cereal and Other Produce Regulatory Authority (COPRA) Director General Irene Madeje Mlola, the government strengthened extension services and access to seedlings during the 2025/2026 season. This included recruiting 50 young people through the Building a Better Tomorrow (BBT) extension services programme, strengthening agricultural marketing cooperative societies (AMCOS) and 169 farmer groups, and providing subsidies for 129,986 seedlings. For the coming 2026/2027 season, Ms Mlola said the government plans to distribute at least 500,000 avocado seedlings.
Looking ahead, COPRA has outlined plans to reinforce the sector's growth trajectory through infrastructure and formalisation. Measures will focus on completing and operationalising crop collection and storage centres, improving their management and operations, and continuing efforts to formalise trade and strengthen monitoring across the value chain. Ms Mlola said implementation will involve farmers, cooperative societies, buyers, traders, the private sector and financial institutions to ensure invested infrastructure and market opportunities are fully utilised. Mr Chongolo encouraged private-sector players to increase investment in avocado processing and value addition to maximise the crop's economic potential.