TANZANIA – The Tanzania Plant Health and Pesticides Authority (TPHPA), with support from the FAO and in collaboration with the EU, has launched a market access documentation for eight priority crops across 14 countries.
The document titled Market Access Dossier aims to eliminate barriers to the export of crops that have not yet reached their potential due to existing prerequisites.
The crops involved include vanilla, pineapple, avocado, mango, cocoa, and tobacco, which are expected to create economic opportunities worth US$3.5 billion.
TPHPA Director General Prof. Joseph Ndunguru emphasized the importance of enhancing international markets and adhering to hygiene standards.
He outlined necessary steps, such as hygiene standard verification and the use of new technologies, to achieve business goals.
The launch follows the opening of the Chinese market for avocados by the Director, who highlighted that the approved avocado varieties for export to China include Hass, Fuerte, and Pinkerton.
The entrance into the Chinese market was facilitated by successful negotiations and the signing of a phytosanitary protocol in 2022 between Tanzania and China.
Tanzania ranks as the third-largest avocado producer in Africa, following South Africa and Kenya, and is the 19th country in the world.
In addition to avocados, Tanzanian sunflower seed cakes are also now eligible for export to China. Professor Ndunguru also emphasized the importance of registration for avocado exporters with the China Customs Authority (GACC) through TPHPA.
“From now on, all registered farms and those that will be registered to export avocados to China must adhere more closely to farming practices and integrated pest management to control destructive pests like fruit flies and moths,” he explained.
All production farms, packaging facilities, and fumigation companies must be registered with TPHPA and obtain an identification number for trade.
These procedures are part of the implementation of the bilateral cooperation protocol, which covers processing, packaging, storage, and transportation.
With this new market opening, Tanzania is set to strengthen its position in the global avocado market, following successful entries into the European market.
