tamu tamu tanzania expands apple farming with new business case and tree catalogue
With apple demand in East Africa soaring, tamu tamu tanzania is helping farmers transition from imports to local production through its innovative apple farming model.
TANZANIA – tamu tamu tanzania (ttt) is taking a notable step in transforming East Africa’s apple industry with the release of its business case and 2025 apple tree catalogue.
As demand for apple surges across the region, ttt aims to reduce its reliance on costly imports by providing climate-adapted apple varieties to local farmers. The company’s efforts come at a crucial time, as East Africa imports US$400 million to US$500 million worth of apples annually.
“We are seeing a shift towards larger commercial farmers and corporations investing in apple farming,” says David Alexander Runge, Commercial Director & Partner at ttt, in an interview with Fresh Produce Middle East & Africa Magazine.
“Many businesses that once focused solely on export crops like avocados and macadamias are now diversifying into apples as a high-value, locally marketable product.”
A business model for growth
ttt’s medium-density apple farming model is a key highlight of its business case. Unlike traditional low-density orchards, this approach uses semi-dwarfing MM111 rootstocks, allowing for earlier fruit production and higher efficiency.
“We have established one hectare of high-density apple farming, but further research is needed before scaling. Medium-density planting is currently the best-suited model for the region,” Runge explains.
By Year 3, farmers using this model can expect to be cash-positive, making it a financially viable investment. Additionally, medium-density orchards require less water than other tree crops, making them suitable for areas with variable rainfall.
With high and stable year-round prices, apples offer a consistent revenue stream for farmers. Beyond fresh sales, apples can be processed into juice, cider, and other value-added products, further increasing profitability.
Tree Catalogue: Climate-adapted apple varieties
The 2025 tree catalogue features nine apple varieties, all tested for commercial viability in Equatorial Africa. Each variety has undergone a three-year research and development phase, ensuring optimal adaptation to different elevations and climates.
Among the top-performing varieties are Dorsett Golden, Anna, and Fuji, all of which thrive at elevations above 1000m.
ttt is seeing strong demand from Kenya, Uganda, DRC, Zambia, and Tanzania, particularly from regions with suitable climates such as Rift Valley, Fort Portal, and the Southern Highlands.
According to Runge, orders for the upcoming sales season are already flowing in, with minimum order quantities set at 500 trees and special pricing available for early buyers.
Beyond tree sales, ttt is rapidly expanding its apple production and processing capacity. The company has already begun purchasing apples from farmers within a 300km radius for processing into juice, cider, and fresh sales.
“Our strategy now includes working with large-scale farmers in Tanzania to ensure steady supply for our processing business,” Runge notes. “Instead of managing 5,000 small-scale farms, we are targeting 50 professional farmers with 5,000 trees each for better efficiency.”
The future of apple farming in Africa
As the global fresh apple market is projected to grow from US$103.86 billion in 2025 to US$119.18 billion by 2030, Africa’s role in apple production is set to expand.
While South Africa, Egypt, and Morocco currently dominate apple cultivation, companies like ttt are paving the way for new apple-producing regions in East Africa.
“We are expanding on all fronts—more tree sales, larger orchards, and greater investment in processing,” Runge confirms. “Farmers are gaining confidence in the market, seeing our apples in supermarkets, and realizing that apple farming is a viable investment.”
ttt encourages interested farmers and investors to explore opportunities in apple farming. Orders can be placed via email, with free online resources and farm visits available for those looking to gain firsthand experience. “Apple farming is still new here, so we invite everyone to see for themselves,” says Runge.
For more details, visit www.tamutamutanzania.com.
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