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Tanzania is one of East Africa's most agriculturally diverse export economies, with approximately 80% of its total exports coming from the agricultural sector. The country produces a remarkably broad range of commodities for global markets — from cashew nuts and coffee to fresh chives, avocados, and spices. Tanzania's combination of fertile highland growing conditions, extensive coastline enabling sea freight access, and a growing private sector export community makes it an increasingly significant origin for international importers seeking diversified East African supply.
Tanzania is the world's second-largest exporter of fresh chives (18% of global exports), Africa's third-largest avocado producer, among Africa's top cashew producers, and the home of globally recognised Kilimanjaro Coffee. The Tanzania Horticultural Association (TAHA) recently launched HortiMarket — a digital platform connecting over 500,000 smallholder farmers to buyers, exporters, and logistics providers across Tanzania.
| Sector | Global Position | Key Markets | Primary Compliance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cashew Nuts | Major African producer | India (80%+), EU | Phytosanitary cert, aflatoxin testing |
| Coffee (Kilimanjaro Arabica) | Established origin | Germany, Switzerland, Romania, EU | EUDR, phytosanitary cert, ICO cert |
| Fresh Chives | 2nd globally (18% share) | Netherlands, UK, France | GlobalG.A.P., EU MRL compliance |
| Avocados | 3rd in Africa | EU, Middle East, China | GlobalG.A.P., phytosanitary cert |
| Spices (cloves, cardamom, vanilla) | World's leading clove producer (Zanzibar) | India, EU, USA, Middle East | Food safety cert, phytosanitary cert |
| Tea | Significant African producer | UK, Pakistan, EU | Phytosanitary cert |
| Sesame Seeds | Growing exporter | India, China, Japan | Phytosanitary cert, aflatoxin testing |
TAHA is the primary industry body supporting horticultural producers and exporters in Tanzania. Through partnerships with SNV Netherlands Development Organisation and other international development partners, TAHA has trained thousands of smallholder farmers in GlobalG.A.P.-compliant good agricultural practices, helped companies obtain international certification, and worked to improve Tanzania's compliance track record with European buyers.
TAHA's HortiMarket digital platform — launched to connect over 500,000 smallholder farmers with buyers, exporters, and logistics providers — represents a significant step in Tanzania's digital transformation of the export supply chain. This platform provides real-time market price information, production data, and direct buyer-farmer linkages that are particularly valuable for importers seeking verified traceability from Tanzanian origins.
Tanzania is the world's second-largest exporter of fresh chives, accounting for approximately 18% of global fresh chive export shipments. Tanzanian chives are exported to the Netherlands, UK, and France — the same primary markets as Kenya-origin chives. For European importers, Tanzania's chive supply offers:
However, importers should note that Tanzania's GlobalG.A.P. certification penetration remains lower than Kenya's for fresh chives. Thorough supplier due diligence — including certificate verification and pre-export residue testing records — is recommended before establishing a Tanzania chive supply programme.
TAHA is the central support and coordination body for Tanzania's horticultural export sector. The association provides GlobalG.A.P. certification support, market access development, compliance training, and direct linkages to European buyers. TAHA's work with SNV Netherlands Development Organisation has significantly raised Tanzania's compliance maturity in the EU market. Importers seeking verified Tanzanian horticultural suppliers should use TAHA's member directory as a starting point.
The Cashew Nut Board of Tanzania oversees the sale and marketing of Tanzania's cashew crop through farmer cooperatives. Tanzania is among Africa's top cashew producers, with production reaching 120,000 tonnes annually. The vast majority of Tanzanian cashew is exported raw to India. The government is actively seeking private sector investment in domestic processing capacity to increase export value. Importers seeking processed or specialty Tanzanian cashew should work with exporters who have invested in local shelling and grading facilities.
Tanzanian coffee — globally known as Kilimanjaro Coffee — is primarily Arabica grown on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro and in other highland regions. Coffee is grown by over 400,000 smallholder farmers organised into cooperatives. Tanzania earns over 17% of its foreign exchange from coffee exports. German, Swiss, and Romanian buyers are identified by the EU as having the greatest potential for increased Tanzanian coffee volumes. EUDR compliance is an active challenge for Tanzanian coffee exporters, who must build farm-level GPS traceability systems across a large smallholder farmer base.
| Region | Key Export Crops |
|---|---|
| Kilimanjaro / Arusha | Arabica coffee, avocados, fresh vegetables, fresh chives, spices, fresh herbs |
| Iringa / Njombe / Mbeya | Tea, avocados, macadamia nuts, coffee, vegetables |
| Coastal Regions (Mtwara, Kilwa) | Cashew nuts — the main production belt for Tanzania's largest cashew crop |
| Zanzibar | Cloves (world's leading producer), vanilla, coconut products, seaweed |
| Lake Regions (Kagera) | Robusta coffee, bananas, tea |
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