Tanzania is now aiming high in the agricultural sector, as the country sets a new target to hit $2 billion in annual horticulture exports by the year 2030. This goal is part of a wider plan to grow total agricultural exports from the current $1.2 billion to $5 billion within the same period. The push for more exports has been welcomed by private sector players, especially those in the horticulture business. The Tanzania Horticultural Association (Taha), led by Chief Executive Officer Dr. Jacqueline Mkindi, has hailed the government’s commitment, particularly the attention given to the horticulture sector in the 2025/2026 national agricultural budget.
Dr. Mkindi praised the Minister of Agriculture, Hussein Bashe, for his continued support and recognition of horticulture as a key area for economic growth and job creation. She noted that with proper policies, investments, and support, horticulture can become one of the leading contributors to Tanzania’s economy. She stressed that the sector has the potential to create millions of jobs, especially for women and young people across the country.
To achieve the $2 billion target, the Tanzanian government has mapped out several strategies. One of them is to boost farm productivity by encouraging the use of modern farming technologies and practices. Another key strategy is to reduce post-harvest losses, which currently affect up to 40% of horticultural produce. The goal is to cut this figure down to 5% by the year 2030 through improved storage facilities, better transportation, and cold chain logistics.
In terms of employment, the government is looking to create around 3 million new jobs in the horticulture sector alone. This will be done by increasing investment in the value chain, supporting agribusinesses, and giving more opportunities to smallholder farmers, especially women and youth. The push for import substitution is also a big part of the plan. The country wants to reduce its reliance on imported products like edible oil, wheat, and grains by boosting local production.
Recent figures from the Ministry of Agriculture show growth in the sector between the 2020/2021 and 2023/2024 farming seasons. Horticultural production rose from 7.3 million tonnes to 7.5 million tonnes. Avocado farming has shown impressive progress, with production increasing from 149,340 tonnes in 2022/2023 to a projected 195,162 tonnes in the 2024/2025 season. In terms of export, the volume of horticultural crops shipped outside the country has gone up from 26,826 tonnes valued at Sh117.5 billion to an expected 35,627 tonnes worth Sh252.3 billion.
There is also a big improvement in oilseed production, which grew from 1.7 million tonnes to 2.1 million tonnes. Sunflower production alone rose by 154%, reaching over 1.2 million tonnes. These numbers show that the sector is gaining momentum.
To further support farmers, the Ministry of Agriculture is working with the Tanzania Plant Health and Pesticides Authority (TPHPA) and Taha to open new international markets for nine key crops in 14 countries. These crops include avocado, pineapple, vanilla, and cloves. Taha has also built several facilities to help farmers process and package their products. These include the Nundu packing centre in Njombe and five avocado collection centres across the Southern Highlands, which are now benefiting more than 2,000 farmers.
Tanzania’s horticulture sector has also enjoyed support from international partners. Organisations like the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), TradeMark Africa, the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), and the UK government have all helped to fund key initiatives. Recently, Tanzanian horticulture companies signed deals worth $12.6 million at the Fruit Logistica 2025 fair, which took place in Europe. This shows that Tanzanian produce is becoming more competitive on the global stage.
Furthermore, policy reforms like the United Kingdom’s decision to cut tariffs on flowers from East Africa are expected to increase the market share of Tanzanian horticultural products in Europe. Such trade-friendly policies are seen as essential in helping Tanzania meet its export goals.
Overall, the $2 billion horticulture export target by 2030 is seen as achievable if the current momentum is maintained. The combination of strong government support, international backing, and commitment from local farmers and businesses gives the sector a real chance to grow into one of the key pillars of Tanzania’s economy.
