Tanzania's avocado exports have achieved a significant milestone, reaching 52,000 tonnes in the 2025/2026 season. This surpasses the national 2030 target of 40,000 tonnes, achieving the goal four years early. The exports earned the country USD 97.2 million. The data was released by the Cereals and Other Produce Regulatory Authority (COPRA) at the Third National Avocado Stakeholders Meeting in Dodoma.
The growth in avocado exports is substantial, with export volumes rising by 237% from 15,432.77 tonnes recorded in the 2020/2021 season. This marks more than a threefold increase over a period of five years. Foreign exchange earnings from avocado exports grew by 120.4% over the same period, up from USD 44.2 million in 2020/2021.
National avocado production has also seen a significant increase, rising by 36.24% from 149,340 tonnes to 203,473 tonnes. This means the exported share of output rose from about 10.3% to about 25.6%. The increase in production and exports indicates a growing importance of the avocado sector in Tanzania's economy.
Tanzanian avocados are now being exported to several countries, including China, the Netherlands, India, the United Arab Emirates, France, and South Africa. The government has been working to improve transport facilities and cold-chain logistics to strengthen the competitiveness of exporters. These efforts aim to sustain and potentially increase the growth momentum in the sector.
The government has been actively supporting the avocado sector through various initiatives. In the 2025/2026 season, 129,986 avocado seedlings were distributed, and plans are in place to distribute 500,000 more in 2026/2027. This is nearly four times the volume distributed in the previous season. Additionally, 50 young extension officers were recruited through the Building a Better Tomorrow (BBT) programme.
Europe, India, and the Middle East are key markets for Tanzanian avocados. According to the Tanzania Horticultural Association (TAHA), Europe accounted for about 40% of avocado exports, India about 30%, and the Middle East 19%. China opened its market to Tanzanian Hass, Fuerte, and Pinkerton avocados in September 2024, following a phytosanitary protocol signed between the two countries in 2022.
The horticulture sector is a significant contributor to Tanzania's export earnings. In 2024, horticulture generated USD 569.3 million in exports, ahead of tobacco at USD 517.1 million and cashew nuts at USD 422.8 million. The government targets USD 2 billion in annual horticulture exports by 2030. For the 2026/27 season, the Minister for Agriculture, Daniel Chongolo, has projected avocado output of 235,000 tonnes and an export volume equal to the 2030 target.
Key points
- Tanzanian avocado exports reached 52,000 tonnes and USD 97.2 million in the 2025/2026 season.
- The 2030 target of 40,000 tonnes was surpassed four years early.
- The government distributed 129,986 avocado seedlings in the 2025/2026 season and plans to distribute 500,000 more in 2026/2027.
