Tanzania's Horticultural Association (TAHA) Group Chief Executive Officer Dr Jacqueline Mkindi led the Tanzanian mission to the premier fruits and vegetables fair held in German, Fruit Logistica. She said ‘the sky is the limit’ as the global appetite for local fresh produce from Tanzania is on the rise.
She also noted that international buyers who were keen on quality and volumes, have in particular, fallen in love with Tanzania growing avocados, raspberries, lime and high value vegetables, offering new markets and opportunities for local farmers and exporters.
At the Fruit Logistica fair a total of 15 producers and exporters companies represented the country, under the TAHA, where they showcased homegrown avocado, raspberries, lime, French beans, peas, baby carrots, sweet melon, spices and herbs such as ginger, assorted chilis, chives and mint.
"Apart from signing several strategic partnerships with global horticulture players for mutual benefits, we have also promoted Tanzania as a land of myriad opportunities for producing and exporting horticulture," Dr Mkindi said.
Buyers were also impressed by the capacity of TAHA Fresh Handling Limited, a local logistic company to handle perishables from Tanzania to various destinations across the world. Indeed, TAHA Fresh is an official member of World Cargo Alliance (WCA) network, a world's most powerful grouping of independent freight forwarders with more than 6,473 members in 789 cities and ports worldwide.
Rising demand for cassava
The Tanzania Cassava Producers and Processors Association (TACAPPA) has urged Tanzanians to engage in cassava production to benefit on the crop's rising local and global demand. The Association's Chairperson, Mwantumu Mahiza said recently in Dar es Salaam at the stakeholders meeting organized by Tanzania Trade Development Authority (TanTrade), that China was among the countries with high demand for cassava of at least 200 million tons per year.
She said that the many benefits, the number of cassava seeds producers was still down, with only 480 (producers) available country-wide. Producers also have been partially engaging in the businesses since they have not yet identified the crop benefits.