In the highlands of Njombe in southern Tanzania, avocado cultivation is emerging as part of the country's growing export sector. Chrises Real Solutions Company Limited, based in Dodoma and led by chief executive officer Juliana Yotham Mwalyepelo, is preparing to present Tanzanian avocados at the upcoming China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai.
Mwalyepelo said the company focuses on avocado farming, land investment, and exports of agricultural products such as cocoa, coffee, and honey. Founded in 2018 with a 1.8-hectare avocado farm, the company has expanded to 11 hectares and plans further growth. "We started small, but now we have expanded to an 11-hectare farm and are looking to acquire more land," she said. "Our goal is to export avocados directly to global markets, particularly China, without relying on intermediaries."
Situated at about 1,800 meters above sea level, Njombe offers fertile soil and a climate suited for avocado production. "The avocados from Njombe are 100 percent organic," said Mwalyepelo. "We don't use chemical fertilizers or artificial pesticides. We rely on natural manure from our cows, which provides nutrients for the trees."
She added that the company aims to understand and meet Chinese market preferences. "Chinese consumers are sophisticated and have specific tastes. We will listen to what they prefer and adapt our practices accordingly," she said.
Mwalyepelo also sees potential for value-added products. "We hope to exchange expertise and attract investment in processing facilities so that in the future, we can export processed avocado products, such as oil, puree, or frozen avocados, instead of only fresh fruit."
According to Cathy Wang, director general of the East Africa Commercial and Logistics Center Limited, 15 Tanzanian companies will attend this year's CIIE, introducing products including avocados, soybeans, honey, and tea. "We are delighted to see that Tanzanian avocados are making their debut at the CIIE this year, bringing a new surprise to Chinese consumers," Wang said.
Source: China.org
