Tanzania’s first avocado export to China marks milestone in agricultural trade

TANZANIA – Tanzania has made its first avocado export to China following the signing of a phytosanitary protocol in 2022, which opened the export market for Hass, Fuerte, and Pinkerton avocados.

The inaugural container of Tanzanian-grown avocados arrived in China on Monday at Mr Avocado’s South China Ripening and Distribution Center.

This milestone is seen as a potential financial boon for farmers and exporters, significantly enhancing their business prospects.

Tanzania’s avocado industry is set for substantial growth, with official data showing that in 2023, the country exported 26,826.3 metric tons of avocados, generating over US$73 million in earnings. Access to the new market is expected to further accelerate this growth.

Festus Nkuru, Africado’s certification manager, announced at a press conference that the container had passed Chinese customs inspections without any issues, signaling a promising future for Tanzanian avocado exports.

Africado, Tanzania’s largest avocado grower and exporter, and is a member of the Tanzania Horticultural Association (TAHA), played a key role in this achievement.

The landmark shipment, which included 24 tonnes of Hass avocados valued at $18,500, was the result of collaborative efforts from key stakeholders.

“We are so grateful that our first-ever container of avocados has landed at Avocado’s South China ripening and distribution center, ready for distribution across retail supermarkets,” Nkuru said.

Despite being Africa’s third-largest avocado producer after South Africa and Kenya, Tanzania has faced challenges in accessing export markets due to the lack of SPS audits and producer compliance.

Nkuru expressed gratitude to the government, the Tanzania Plant Health and Pesticides Authority (TPHPA), TAHA, and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for facilitating this breakthrough.

With avocado consumption rapidly growing among Chinese consumers, ripened avocados have become a top trend in the retail industry.

This development presents significant opportunities to meet the rising demand for fresh, ready-to-eat avocados in China.

Mr Avocado, a pioneer in professional avocado ripening and distribution in China, has played a crucial role in transforming the country’s avocado market. The company operates four ripening centers and ten repacking centers across China, serving high-end retail clients nationwide.

The new partnership between Mr Avocado, Africado, and Westfalia South Africa aims to bring high-quality Tanzanian avocados to Chinese consumers, strengthening ties between Tanzania and China’s fresh produce sectors.

This initiative also aligns with China’s broader strategy to increase imports from Africa, addressing trade imbalances between China and the resource-rich continent.

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