Carrots and turnips market in Tanzania

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh carrots and turnips in Tanzania saw considerable change from 2018 to 2023. Starting at 2 601 metric tons in 2018, the market volume contracted sharply to 1 487 metric tons in 2019, a shift driven almost entirely by a steep drop in imports. Domestic production held steady near 1 400 metric tons annually during these years. A sustained recovery began in 2020, powered by a resurgence in imports, which lifted the total market volume to 3 013 metric tons by 2023, well above the initial level.

This growth period aligned with active government measures to revive the horticulture sector following the COVID-19 pandemic. Under President Samia Suluhu Hassan's administration, policies supporting perishable crop exports contributed to a reported 44% growth in the horticulture industry's export value in 2023, stimulating broader market activity for carrots and turnips. The Tanzania Horticultural Association also expanded its international efforts by opening a new office in the United Kingdom to further boost horticultural exports.

State support for agriculture strengthened notably, with the sector's budget rising significantly to Sh1.2 trillion in the 2024/25 period. This funding underpinned new national strategies for fertilizer use and soil health spanning 2024 to 2030, while record customs revenue collections indicated improved trade processes. The government's push for regional industrial clusters and subsidized farming inputs created a supportive environment for the production and market development of fresh vegetables.

Production carrots and turnips in Tanzania

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of carrots and turnips, 2017-2020

World map of production of carrots and turnips, 2017-2020

In 2020, Tanzania produced 1,398 tonnes of carrots and turnips, remaining virtually unchanged from the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2018, at 0.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Tanzania in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports carrots and turnips from Tanzania

Exports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Carrots and turnips shipments from Tanzania to abroad reached their minimum in 2020 at 1 tonne, which is 99.5% lower than in 2019. Volumes peaked in 2019 at 217 tonnes, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 213 times. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 14,217.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Tanzania in kind, 2017-2020, t

Throughout 2017–2020, Uganda and Comoros remained the principal buyers of carrots and turnips from Tanzania, together accounting for 100.0% of total exports in kind.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Tanzania in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during the period. In 2020, carrots and turnips exports from Tanzania amounted to 327 US dollars, down by 99.1% compared to the previous year. They hit their maximum in 2019 at 38,111 US dollars, falling to the lowest point in 2020—a gap of 117 times. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 606.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Tanzania in value, 2017-2020, $ US

In 2017–2020, Uganda (with 83.9% of total flows) and Comoros (16.1%) were the two dominant destinations for exports in value terms of carrots and turnips from Tanzania, together forming 100.0% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Tanzania in value, 2017-2020

Imports carrots and turnips to Tanzania

Imports in kind, t

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. In 2020, Tanzania imported 106 tonnes of carrots and turnips, corresponding to a drop of 65.1% compared to 2019. The highest imports were reached in 2018 at 1,203 tonnes, with the lowest in 2020, reflecting an 11.3-fold gap. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 74.7%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 66.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Tanzania in kind, 2017-2020, t

In 2017–2020, Kenya remained the overwhelmingly dominant supplier of carrots and turnips to Tanzania, accounting for 98.5% of total imports in kind.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Tanzania in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. In 2020, Tanzania's carrots and turnips imports amounted to 2,887 US dollars, constituting a drop of 53.4% compared to the previous year. Peak imports hit in 2018 at 46,399 US dollars, with a trough in 2020—a 16-fold gap. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 86.6%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 131.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Tanzania in value, 2017-2020, $ US

In 2017–2020, the geographical pattern of imports in value terms was characterized by a strong dominance of Kenya, whose share reached 85.4% of total flows, while other partners held relatively minor shares.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Tanzania in value, 2017-2020