Horticulture exports rise to $450m in 2014

Tanzania Horticulture Association chief executive officer Jacqueline Mkindi in a past event.  PHOTO | FILE 

In Summary

• Taha official says there is high demand for French beans and avocados from Tanzania
• Most of the produce, including flowers, cuttings, beans, peas and berries, were exported to mainly European countries

Arusha. Horticulture exports from Tanzania hit a record $450 million last year, up from $374 million in 2013 and $380m in the previous year.

Most of the produce being flowers, cuttings, beans, peas and berries and others were exported to the Netherlands, Belgium, France,, United Kingdom, Canada, Austria and Kenya.

“Less than 10 per cent is exported to the neighbouring countries including Comoro, Malawi, Mozambique and South Africa,” said Mr Anthony Chamanga, policy and advocacy manager with the Tanzania Horticultural Association (Taha).

He told The Citizen that there was a high demand for French beans and avocados from Tanzania in overseas markets because they have been found to meet the safety and other requirements.

“We have built confidence for the importers after they found our products to be safe and of high quality because of application of modern agronomic methods,” he said.

According to him, Tanzania’s market share in the flower business in Austria has gone up to 30 per cent in the past few years.

He added that Taha was anticipating a continued rise in exports given the promotional activities taken in the international horticultural fairs and engagement of more farmers and outgrowers.

“Vegetable exports will increase this year,” Mr Chamanga said without specifying, adding that there is a significant expansion of investments by commercial farmers.

Taha’s goal is to reach a yearly export value of $1 billion with increased investments in the sector. At the association’s inception in 2004 exports earned the sector a mere $64m.

According to the association’s chief executive officer Jacqueline Mkindi, between 2005 and 2010 nearly $1 billion was channelled by private investors to commercial horticultural production and trade.

As a result there have been increased employment levels, with over 400,000 people currently being employed in horticulture, directly and indirectly and increased market access to farmers.