The global fresh produce market is anticipated to reach a value of US$40.24 billion by 2026, expanding at an annual rate of 10.2 percent. Tanzania is keen to secure a share of this lucrative market through its burgeoning horticulture sector. Current data from Global Market Estimates (GME) indicate the global horticulture market is worth an average of US$20.77 billion in 2021 and is rapidly expanding.
Despite its vast agricultural potential, Tanzania, like many African nations, only captures a small fraction of the over US$30 billion horticulture market. Dr. Jacqueline Mkindi, CEO of the Tanzania Agricultural and Horticulture Association (TAHA), believes that with the right strategies in place, Tanzania could potentially earn up to US$3 billion per annum from the horticulture industry.
“Massive achievements have been accrued so far, including increases in yields of fruits and vegetables by 200 – 300 per cent, increase in export earnings from US$64 million in 2004 to over US$779 million in 2019,” Mkindi says. She also applauds the government's efforts to revitalize the horticulture sector, citing policy reforms that have addressed over 50 issues.
TAHA has successfully advocated for the resolution of 60 policy issues from 2017 to 2021 and facilitated the removal of 36 Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) to enhance cross-border trade between Kenya and Tanzania. The association has also guided investments exceeding US$1.29 million into horticulture by value chain actors and expedited the registration of 213 quality pesticides.
Source: theexchange.africa