Tanzania is positioning itself as a major player in the global mango trade after reaching an annual production of about 700,000 metric tons, a development that places the country among the world’s top producers and opens new opportunities for export earnings.
A recent sector report released by the Agricultural Growth Corridors of Tanzania indicates that Tanzania is now the 12th largest mango producer globally, supported by a steady annual growth rate of about 6.7 percent and cultivation of more than 30 mango varieties across the country.
The report shows that the industry is undergoing a major transformation as it shifts from largely subsistence farming to a more structured and export-oriented sector targeting a share of the rapidly expanding global mango market, estimated at around $67.95 billion.
Industry experts say the discovery and promotion of the ‘Koga’ mango variety from Mkuranga District could significantly strengthen Tanzania’s competitiveness in international markets.
The variety is praised for its exceptional sweetness, firm texture and longer shelf life, qualities that make it suitable for premium markets in Europe and the Middle East.
Efforts to strengthen the value chain are also receiving support from international partners. The Government of Canada has launched a six-year initiative worth CAD 20 million, equivalent to about TZS 38 billion, under the programme “Her Resilience, Our Planet.”
The initiative aims to empower about 175,000 farmers, including women and youth, through sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural practices.
Access to finance is also improving through innovative agricultural financing models, including warehouse receipt systems and weather-indexed insurance products.
Financial institutions such as Tanzania Agricultural Development Bank, CRDB Bank, NMB Bank and Exim Bank Tanzania are increasingly supporting agribusiness investment within the mango value chain.
Current financial sector data shows that while agriculture accounts for only about 8.5 percent of total private sector credit in Tanzania, lending to the sector has been growing rapidly, with credit expansion reaching nearly 38.9 percent, signalling strong investor confidence in agribusiness opportunities.
According to Hamadi Mkopi, Executive Secretary of the Association of Mango Growers, the long-term vision is to expand the presence of Tanzanian mangoes in both regional and global markets.
“Our vision is to see Tanzanian mangoes on shelves across Tanzania, Africa and the world. We are working hard to overcome existing challenges and unlock the true potential of the industry as a leading cash crop,” he said.
Geoffrey Kirenga, Chief Executive Officer of the Agricultural Growth Corridors of Tanzania, said improved production practices and increased value addition could enable Tanzania to supply premium-quality mangoes that fill gaps in global markets during the southern hemisphere’s off-season.
Agronomists also note that mango production has significant expansion potential across the country. Dr Salum Diwani, an agronomy expert working at the 200-acre Koga Farm, explained that unlike crops such as coffee, mango trees can thrive in many parts of Tanzania, including relatively dry regions.
This means areas such as Singida Region and Dodoma Region could benefit from large-scale mango farming, creating new income opportunities for rural communities and strengthening the country’s agricultural export base.
Tanzania also enjoys a natural market advantage because its mango harvest season runs from November to January.
This period coincides with the off-season for major northern hemisphere producers such as India and Pakistan, allowing Tanzanian exporters to access international markets when supply is limited and prices are higher.
Despite the promising outlook, the sector still faces structural challenges that must be addressed to unlock its full potential.
Industry data indicates that between 40 and 45 percent of harvested mangoes are lost after harvest due to poor handling, limited cold storage facilities and the absence of large-scale processing plants.
The lack of processing capacity for products such as mango juice, pulp and dried mango snacks continues to limit the industry’s ability to add value and reduce post-harvest losses.
Another challenge lies in the structure of production. About 99 percent of mango growers in Tanzania are smallholder farmers, typically cultivating an average of 3.5 acres.
Experts say stronger farmer cooperatives and improved coordination within the value chain will be necessary to meet international sanitary and phytosanitary standards required in high-value export markets.
Recent policy measures by the Tanzanian government are expected to support the industry’s expansion. The horticulture subsector has benefited from tax exemptions on technologies used for sorting, grading and packaging fruits, a move designed to improve product quality and enhance the competitiveness of local produce in global markets.
With rising production, expanding financial support and growing international demand, stakeholders believe the mango industry could become one of Tanzania’s most important agricultural export sectors in the coming years.
By investing in processing, cold storage infrastructure and stronger farmer organisations, Tanzania could transform its abundant mango harvest into a major driver of rural incomes and foreign exchange earnings.
