NJOMBE, Tanzania – The Tanzanian government has officially inaugurated the 2025/2026 avocado buying season through the Cereals and Other Produce Regulatory Authority (COPRA), marking a strategic push to strengthen the country’s position in the global avocado market and increase farmer incomes.
The launch ceremony, held on September 25, 2025, in Njombe Region, brought together government officials, farmers, processors, and exporters to outline strategies for enhancing the avocado value chain. The event was led by Njombe Regional Commissioner Anthony Mtaka, who emphasized the importance of timely sales for maximizing farmer returns.
“Farmers should sell avocados on time to avoid spoilage and quality loss,” Mtaka stated. “Timely sales will enable farmers to secure better and more competitive prices while strengthening Tanzania’s position in international markets.”
Strategic Government Support
The government’s commitment to transforming the avocado sector was underscored by Stephen J. Nindi, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture responsible for Crop Development and Food Security. He outlined comprehensive plans to bolster the industry through targeted investments and market expansion.
“We are committed to strengthening the avocado value chain, expanding international markets, and promoting profitable agribusiness for farmers,” Nindi explained. “Investments are being made in modern storage technologies, value addition, and research to ensure Tanzanian avocados continue to meet international standards.”
The approach is expected to create youth employment opportunities, enhance the global competitiveness of Tanzanian avocados, and significantly raise farmer incomes.
Tanzania’s Growing Avocado Sector
Tanzania has emerged as a significant player in the global avocado market, ranking as Africa’s third-largest producer after South Africa and Kenya, and 19th globally. The country’s avocado exports have shown remarkable growth, increasing from 17,711.49 tons valued at $51 million in 2021/2022 to 26,826.30 tons worth $77.3 million in 2022/2023.
The crop is primarily cultivated in Njombe, Songwe, Iringa, Mbeya, and Kilimanjaro regions, with the Southern Highlands becoming a particularly important production zone.
The event featured participation from key industry stakeholders including Irene Mlolwa, Director of COPRA; Jacqueline Mkindi, Chief Executive Officer of the Tanzania Horticultural Association (TAHA); along with District Commissioners and Council Directors from various avocado-growing areas across the country.
Participants discussed comprehensive strategies to improve the avocado industry, with particular focus on enhancing value addition, maintaining quality standards, and expanding both local and international market opportunities.
