editor
The recent launch of direct cargo flights by Air Tanzania to Guangzhou marks a significant advancement for Tanzania’s horticultural industry, providing essential access to the expanding Chinese market.
On January 12 of this year, Air Tanzania’s inaugural direct cargo flight from Dar es Salaam successfully arrived in Guangzhou, heralding a new era for Tanzania’s multi-million-dollar horticultural sector.
The Boeing 767 freighter, capable of carrying 54 tonnes and with a flight range of up to 10 hours without refueling, is considered an optimal solution for offering Tanzanian horticultural exporters fast and reliable logistics.
Dr. Jacqueline Mkindi, Chief Executive Officer of the Tanzania Horticultural Association (TAHA), described the new cargo flight as a transformative opportunity for exporters seeking quicker and more dependable access to China, which has become an increasingly vital market for Tanzanian horticultural products. “This flight opens up abundant opportunities for exporters of horticultural crops and perishables,” Dr. Mkindi stated.
She further emphasized Guangzhou’s strategic importance as a major distribution hub for avocados within China, noting that the new route is crucial for helping Tanzanian farmers meet rising demand. “The Boeing 767 freighter offers competitive rates and ample cargo space, making it an ideal option for exporters aiming to tap into the Chinese market,” she added.
This new flight aligns with President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan’s ongoing efforts to expand markets for Tanzanian-grown avocados, with the objective of transforming the country’s horticultural industry into a significant source of foreign exchange. In December 2024, Air Tanzania received approval from China’s Civil Aviation Administration (CAAC) to initiate direct flights from Dar es Salaam to Guangzhou, marking a pivotal milestone in enhancing avocado exports.
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The successful arrival of a container of Tanzanian-grown organic avocados in China on November 18, 2024, further underscores these developments. Together, these milestones signal a major turning point for Tanzania’s horticultural sector, providing fresh opportunities for local farmers and exporters.
Dr. Mkindi noted that the faster transport times will ensure that Tanzanian avocados reach Chinese consumers in optimal condition, benefiting local farmers while supplying fresh produce to the Chinese market. Prior to the introduction of direct flights, transporting avocados by sea took up to 22 days, with shipments of 24 metric tonnes traveling from Mombasa through Hong Kong to China. In contrast, the direct flight from Dar es Salaam to Guangzhou takes just over 12 hours, significantly reducing delivery times to approximately one day.
Dr. Mkindi expressed gratitude to development partners such as TradeMark Africa (TMA) and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), whose support has been instrumental in facilitating access to international markets. “This partnership is helping create a brighter future for Tanzania’s agricultural sector,” she remarked.
The strategic development also enhances economic ties between Tanzania and China, positioning Tanzania as a key player in the global avocado market. For Tanzanian farmers, the new direct flight represents a crucial opportunity to access new markets and expand their businesses.
As anticipation builds, stakeholders from both countries remain hopeful that this collaboration will foster sustained economic growth. Dr. Mkindi also acknowledged the efforts of Tanzania’s Minister for Agriculture, Mr. Hussein Bashe, for his dedication in ensuring that Tanzanian businesses met China’s sanitary and phytosanitary standards, paving the way for this breakthrough.
With a population exceeding 1.4 billion, China—currently the tenth-largest importer of avocados globally—is poised to become one of Tanzania’s leading export destinations for fresh avocados, which have traditionally been shipped to Europe and the Middle East.
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Despite being Africa’s third-largest avocado producer, following South Africa and Kenya, Tanzanian farmers have faced challenges in accessing export markets due to insufficient SPS measures, particularly for the Chinese market.
“I am deeply grateful to President Samia Suluhu Hassan for her diplomatic leadership, which has opened the lucrative Chinese market for our avocados after six years of persistent efforts,” Dr. Mkindi stated. The initiative to enter the Chinese market began in 2018 when TAHA first recognized its potential.
Since then, the government has worked diligently to remove barriers, culminating in this landmark achievement. Dr. Mkindi highlighted that the president’s vision aligns with Tanzania’s national strategy to boost horticultural exports to $2 billion annually by 2030, up from $420 million today. This goal has the potential to create thousands of new jobs, particularly for women and youth within the horticultural value chain.
As Tanzania’s avocado industry embarks on this new chapter, this breakthrough opens exciting opportunities for growth, trade, and international collaboration.
