Pork industry players converge in Dar to chart growth path

By Aaron Keasi

Dar es Salaam. Stakeholders in Tanzania’s pork industry will converge in Dar es Salaam next week to explore ways of strengthening the sector’s contribution to the national economy.

According to data from the ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Development, the livestock sector currently accounts for about 6.2 percent of Tanzania’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It also employs some 4.6 million Tanzanians across its value chain and is expanding at an annual rate of five percent.

Official figures show that meat production rose by 9.4 percent, from 963,856.55 tonnes valued at Sh9.476 trillion in the 2023/24 financial year to 1.054 million tonnes worth Sh10.379 trillion in 2024/25.

The pig population increased by 5.1 percent, from 3.9 million in 2023/24 to 4.1 million in 2024/25, underscoring the industry’s growth potential.

By April 2025, Tanzania had exported a total of 9,863.41 tonnes of meat, equivalent to 89.9 percent of its target of 10,971 tonnes. This included 1,150.54 tonnes of beef, 6,380.63 tonnes of goat meat, 2,104.85 tonnes of mutton, 199.61 tonnes of chicken and 27.83 tonnes of pork, valued at $44.07 million. The figures compare with 9,326.3 tonnes exported during the previous year.

Export markets for Tanzanian meat have continued to expand, now reaching 11 countries, including Bahrain, Comoros, Hong Kong, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Vietnam.

Speaking at the event, Tanzania Association of Pig Farmers (Tapifa) chairperson Doreen Maro said the historic congress was first conceived as an idea in 2022 in South Africa, before being officially launched in Nigeria in 2023.

She said the focus would be on learning opportunities and ways to increase profitability for pig farmers, including the introduction of improved breeds and new technological methods.

“This year, Tanzania has secured the opportunity to host this congress, which centres on the pork value chain. We expect over 250 international guests and a total of about 1,000 participants. Various research studies will also be presented.

“Nine farmers’ associations from outside the country have confirmed participation. We must begin to look at this sector differently because it is growing rapidly and offers numerous benefits,” she said.

She added that in order for farmers to succeed, they must meet and share experiences, especially as leading breeders from Europe will be in attendance.

“The congress aims to introduce new breeding technologies, improved breeds, and better feeds,” she noted. For his part, Eastern Zone Meat Board officer-in-charge, Joseph Kulwa, said people should consider engaging in the entire pig value chain provided they are not restricted by faith-based dietary prohibitions.

Quoting the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), he said every person should consume at least 50 kilogrammes of meat annually—a combination of white and red meat. However, statistics show that Tanzanians currently consume only about 15 kilogrammes per person per year.

“This congress will therefore also discuss ways to boost pork production. I encourage people to increase their meat consumption to at least one kilogramme per week,” said Mr Kulwa.