Prime
Tanzania bags $12.6m horticulture deals at Germany event
What you need to know:
- The country’s success at the fair is set to create new jobs and boost foreign exchange earnings
Arusha. Tanzania emerged as top performer at the recent Fruit Logistica 2025 exhibition in Berlin, Germany, sealing export agreements worth $12.6 million and solidifying its position as a key player in the global horticultural market.
The country’s success at the fair is set to have significant multiplier effects, including creating new employment opportunities and boosting foreign exchange earnings, underscoring the growing role of Tanzania’s horticultural industry in its economic development.
According to a report by the Tanzania Horticultural Association (Taha), Tanzanian exporters secured multiple deals across various sectors, a major milestone in the nation’s efforts to achieve a $2 billion horticultural export target by 2030.
A major deal includes a contract to supply 500 tonnes of red sugar beans over ten months, valued at $4.4 million. The same company also sealed an agreement to supply 125 tons of kidney beans, worth $1.1 million, to global suppliers of agricultural commodities.
Additionally, a UK-based company has committed to importing six 40-foot containers of Tanzanian-grown avocados per week for the Indian market, translating into a transaction worth $7.1 million for a ten-month period.
Tanzania’s presence at the exhibition also attracted interest from eight UK companies seeking to source a variety of spices, including ginger, passion fruit, beans, and herbs, further diversifying export opportunities.
Taha UK trade specialist Maarten Boeye confirmed that talks are underway regarding the volumes and pricing for these spices, with contracts expected to be signed in the near future.
The successful participation in Fruit Logistica 2025 is expected to translate into increased employment opportunities and enhanced foreign currency inflows, further demonstrating the vital role of the horticultural sub-sector in Tanzania’s economic growth.
Some of the deals will be managed under Taha’s newly launched Horticultural Exports Accelerator Program (HEAP), designed to streamline and boost the efficiency of Tanzanian horticultural exports.
Currently, 20 Tanzanian horticultural companies are part of the programme, which is expected to strengthen their access to UK markets.
HEAP, which was introduced last year as part of Tanzania’s strategy to boost exports to the UK and European markets, is supported by the UK government and strategic partners, including Palladium Impact. The initiative aims to help Tanzanian producers meet international market standards and achieve the $2 billion export target by 2030.
Tanzanian ambassador to Germany Hassan Mwamweta expressed his gratitude for the successful outcomes of the exhibition.
“This engagement is instrumental in expanding our market reach and significantly boosting our horticultural exports,” he said, highlighting his efforts in facilitating connections between Tanzanian businesses and European buyers.
The Tanzanian delegation included 24 exporters, along with officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, COPRA, Taha, the Tanzania Agricultural Development Bank (TADB), and the Avocado Society of Tanzania (ASTA).
Taha CEO Jacqueline Mkindi thanked all stakeholders for their ongoing support.
“These achievements are a testament to our collective dedication and collaboration in advancing Tanzania’s horticultural trade and agricultural sector,” she said.
The horticultural sub-sector in Tanzania has shown resilience, bouncing back from global challenges like the Covid-19 pandemic and disruptions caused by the Red Sea crisis.
Export values have consistently increased from $290.7 million in 2020 to $569.3 million in 2024, according to the Bank of Tanzania.
This growth is driven by the country’s efforts to penetrate diverse international markets, such as China, India, the UK, the Middle East, and traditional EU countries, along with improving production capacities and meeting international quality standards.
As Tanzania continues to expand its global footprint, the horticultural sector is set to play an increasingly important role in driving economic diversification and boosting foreign exchange earnings for the country.
The collaboration between the Ministry of Agriculture and TADB to facilitate Tanzanian exporters at Fruit Logistica 2025 has further enhanced Tanzania’s profile on the global stage.
