Taha condemns smuggling of unripe avocados into Tanzania

Arusha. The Tanzania Horticultural Association (Taha) has condemned the conduct of unscrupulous traders who engage in harvesting and exporting unripe avocados to regional and international markets through Tanzania.

Taha commended the ministry of Agriculture, through the Tanzania Plant Health and Pesticides Authority (TPHPA), for its recent impounding of 32 tonnes of premature avocados, worth over Sh494 million, smuggled into Tanzania through the Namanga border.

It was the same consignment that was reported to have been seized on the Kenyan side of the border by Kenya's Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA).

Taha said in its statement that the move signals the government’s vigilant and deliberate initiative to protect the quality of both imported and exported agricultural products.

“The interception of the smuggled premature avocado consignment is an essential measure for protecting Tanzania’s image in the trade of agricultural produces bound for regional and international markets,” the statement signed by the Taha CEO, Ms Jacqueline Mkindi, reads in part.

The seizure of avocados at the Namanga border reminds pundits of a January 2023 incident when the government banned a Kenyan firm from purchasing avocados after the ministry of Agriculture said it was engaging in illegal practices.

Kandia Fresh Company was barred from operating in Njombe after the firm was accused of purchasing premature fruits.

The minister for Agriculture Hussein Bashe, said the company allegedly bought unripe avocados and dumped them at the Njombe Town Council dumpsite.

“If that company exists in the country, blacklist it immediately and cancel their permit,” said Mr Bashe.

But the company’s employee, David Sifuna Barasa, said the fruits had been harvested in good condition but were poorly handled when questioned about why he bought unripe avocados.

And fast forward to January 2024, and unripe avocados have once again been impounded at the Namanga border.

In its statement, Taha said protecting the quality of agricultural crops contributes to increased production, attracting investors, guaranteeing food security, and boosting the incomes of smallholder farmers and the nation at large.

"Contrarily, the export of immature and poor-quality fruits can taint Tanzania’s hard-earned reputation as a hub of excellent agricultural crops, watering down the government’s efforts to spur the agricultural sector and the horticultural industry, in particular,” Ms Mkindi said in a statement.

She explained that the government has of late been striving to open up new markets, namely China, India, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), South Africa, and Nordic countries for Tanzanian-grown avocado, as the country seeks to boost the local farmers' net returns from their butter fruits.

Ms Mkindi, the horticultural industry captain, said the avocado is among the fastest-growing value chains in horticulture, with huge potential for overseas markets, given its comparative advantages of two production seasons compared to the global largest producers, namely Mexico, Colombia, and Peru.

“Tanzanian-grown avocados are ripe between May and September, while the second season is between December and February. This is against Mexico and Colombia’s seasons of September to December and September to February, respectively. Peru season is between May and August,” she explained.

Nearly 80 percent of Tanzanian avocado production relies on rainfall, giving the crop a competitive edge in the wake of global concern that avocado production, specifically in Mexico, carries enormous and untold environmental costs.

“The illegal trade is not only reducing the value and hard work of producers and exporters of agricultural crops but also risking big investments in the sub-sector,” Ms Mkindi explained.

Taha pleads with the government to consider taking swift measures, including convening a meeting of authorities responsible for plant health from Tanzania and Kenya to deliberate on the challenge and devise a robust inspection system to end the unscrupulous trade once and for all.

“Companies implicated in harvesting and selling immature avocados and other crops cannot be tolerated, as they threaten the welfare of the countries,” cautioned the Taha Chief as she advised the Tanzanian and Kenyan governments to take punitive measures against all traders involved, including revoking their licences in the trade of agricultural crops.

“We also advise the private sector, particularly farmers and exporters, to ensure they meet national and international standards and abide by national and international laws and regulations in accessing regional and international markets,” said Taha, adding:

“We advise companies to seek correct information from Taha and the Ministry of Agriculture on production, harvesting, and selling procedures for avocados.”

Taha vows to continue working closely with the government and its institutions to take agriculture, especially the horticultural industry, to the next level so that the sub-sector can contribute effectively and efficiently to the growth of the country’s economy.

“Taha remains committed to working collaboratively with the Tanzania Plant Health and Pesticides Authority (TPHPA) and our counterparts in Kenya to eradicate such malpractices by taking strict actions to ensure immature avocado fruits do not find their way to the international market,” Ms Mkindi underlined.