Tanzania to begin avocado export to South Africa

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Tanzania to begin avocado export to South Africa

The governments of Tanzania and South Africa are finalising negotiations under which the East African nation will start to officially export avocados to the latter. Tanzania’s Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa revealed the report and said a solution to a tiff over avocados between the two countries would be found soon.

Tanzania’s shipments had earlier been blocked by South African authorities at the border between Zimbabwe and South Africa over a lack of phytosanitary documents. Also seized were avocados from the Moravian Farming Company PVT Limited.

The shipments were via Tanzanian large-scale producer Rob Clowes, who said the seizure was part of concerted efforts by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) in South Africa to protect that country’s avocado growers. However, the government had opted for a negotiated settlement to end the stalemate.

Reliable market

“We opted to negotiate, and discussions will be concluded soon. Our farmers will eventually have the right to benefit from the South African market in the same way their counterparts [in South Africa] are selling their apples in large volumes in Tanzania,” said Kassim Majaliwa.

The Prime Mininster urged farmers to increase production of avocados in order to significantly benefit from investment made by a joint venture of a German company and the Church. He said the factory has assured farmers of a reliable market because most of its raw materials were avocados that had been rejected for normal consumption and export.

“Increase the level of production and spend earnings to educate your children to the tertiary level. Plant some hectares more for your children. We have also district councils to spent the 10% funds allocated to the youth, women and people with disabilities for production of avocado seedlings,” he said.