DAR ES SALAAM, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania is positioning its horticulture industry as a key driver of international trade, with output rising sharply on the back of government support, Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba said on Wednesday.
Speaking in the capital Dodoma during the launch of preparations for the Hortilogistica Africa 2026 forum, Nchemba said subsidized agricultural inputs have increased horticultural production from 7.5 million tonnes in the 2023/2024 financial year to 9.7 million tonnes in 2024/2025, a rise of about 30 percent.
He described the sector as a strategic pillar linking Tanzania to global markets, with exports of avocados, vegetables, flowers and spices expanding rapidly, particularly to Europe and the Middle East.
The Hortilogistica Africa 2026 forum, scheduled for Nov. 8-10 in Arusha, aims to promote trade and investment in horticulture across the continent.
The government is strengthening value addition industries, quality standards and transport infrastructure, including cargo flight services and cold storage facilities at key airports, to support the exports of perishable goods, Nchemba said.
He urged farmers to meet international quality standards to enhance competitiveness, noting that "quality products will always find markets." ■