Sesame farmers in Tunduru District, Ruvuma Region, have earned more than TZS 2.46 billion after selling nearly one million kilogrammes of the crop during the first auction of the 2026/27 trading season through the Tanzania Mercantile Exchange (TMX).
The auction, organised by the Tunduru District Cooperative Union (TAMCU Ltd), saw 994,618 kilogrammes of sesame sold at an average price of TZS 2,477 per kilogramme, reflecting a stronger market opening compared to last season.
TAMCU Acting Manager Zainabu Sedema said the auction recorded a minimum price of TZS 2,410 and a maximum of TZS 2,520 per kilogramme, giving farmers improved returns at the start of the season.
She said the union has already put in place payment arrangements to ensure farmers receive their money on time through cooperation with local cooperative officers and financial institutions.
“To ensure transparency and accuracy, TAMCU has established a payment centre responsible for verifying farmers’ details before payments are processed,” she said.
Sedema noted that during the 2025/26 season, TAMCU sold more than 5 million kilogrammes of sesame worth TZS 12.18 billion through six auctions.
The previous season’s opening auction recorded an average price of TZS 2,439 per kilogramme, meaning this year’s opening price has increased by TZS 38.
TAMCU Chairman Mussa Manjaule described the auction results as a positive signal for farmers and the district’s agricultural economy.
“In the first auction last season, the average price was TZS 2,439 per kilogramme. This season we have opened at TZS 2,477, which shows that farmers are making progress,” he said.
He assured farmers that the union is committed to ensuring timely payments and efficient handling of produce delivered to cooperative warehouses.
Tunduru District Commissioner Denis Masanja directed TAMCU to ensure farmers receive payments within three days after every auction.
He also urged banks and other financial institutions to reactivate dormant accounts belonging to farmers to prevent delays in payments.
Masanja praised the TMX trading system, saying it has helped reduce fraud, losses and crop theft while improving transparency and guaranteeing farmers fair market prices.
He encouraged farmers to continue using the warehouse receipt system instead of selling produce through informal channels or smuggling networks.
“The government has now expanded the warehouse receipt system to include crops such as groundnuts, pigeon peas and peanuts. This will create more opportunities for farmers in Tunduru,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of farmers, Juma Bakari said growers were satisfied with the prices offered despite concerns over global economic uncertainty and changing weather patterns.
He expressed hope that prices will remain stable in future auctions to motivate farmers to continue investing in sesame production.
