The East African Business Council (EABC), in collaboration with Tamu Tamu Tanzania (TTT), is launching an initiative to enhance apple cultivation within the East African Community (EAC) to reduce the region's reliance on imported apples, which currently stands at an estimated $400 to 500 million annually. The initiative, titled 'Investing in Apple Farming in East Africa and Agro B2B Networking,' aims to bolster the commercial production of apples through a webinar that will provide agri-actors with critical insights into maximizing the apple value chain.
This effort is in response to the substantial importation costs of fresh apples, which are integral to the production of various processed goods, including juices and snacks. Agricultural experts have highlighted the potential of the East African region to significantly contribute to apple production, with the capacity to yield over 100,000 mature apples per acre.
The upcoming webinar will feature industry experts sharing knowledge and experiences to improve the competitiveness of the EAC's agri-food sector. Notably, apple farming is emerging as a lucrative agricultural venture in Tanzania, with the potential to position the country as a leading apple producer in Africa.
Source: thecitizen.co.tz