The Arusha Region of Tanzania has a high potential for exports of avocados. Almost 9,000 tons -valued at $30 million – were exported last year, while some seven years before that, the number was almost zero.
Yesterday, growers could witness the launch of the first avocado cluster for farmers in the northern zone regions. The facility will assist farmers in training, input and seedlings supplies, as well as access to new processing technologies and markets.
Taha Group chief executive officer Jacquiline Mkindi said Tanzania should seize the opportunity due to the increasing demand for the food crop in international markets. She said the demand for avocados from Tanzania is much higher due to their high quality.
“Tanzania can produce more avocados for the huge market,” she told thecitizen.co.tz during the launching of the cluster at Ngyani Village in Arumeru District.
It is estimated that some 39,000 tons of the fruit are produced locally but only between 8,500 and 9,000 tons were exported last year.