Garlic market in Tanzania

Earlier Report Observations

The Tanzanian garlic market volume increased from 6.5 thousand tons in 2018 to over 6.8 thousand tons in 2021. This growth was supported by a strong expansion of harvested area, which boosted domestic cultivation efforts despite perceptible yield declines. Concurrently, rising consumption sustained demand, while global supply chain disruptions in 2020 contributed to higher import volumes, further enlarging the available supply.

Market volume contracted to 6.6 thousand tons in 2022 as export shipments rose sharply to 237 tons and imports fell. The following year, a rebound in imports to 763 tons offset another increase in exports, stabilizing the market around 6.6 thousand tons. Throughout this period, Tanzania solidified its role as Africa's fastest-growing garlic exporter, with export prices reaching $1.15 per kg in 2021.

The market's development is increasingly shaped by organic farming practices, with family growers in regions like Manyara and Morogoro using sustainable methods. These small-scale producers are key suppliers, catering to both local consumption and the growing export channel, which has seen Tanzania capture a significant share of African garlic exports.

Production garlic in Tanzania

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of garlic, 2017-2020

World map of production of garlic, 2017-2020

In 2020, Tanzania produced 6 229 tons of garlic, representing a slight decrease of 0.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production declined by 2.6%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 0.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 6 024 tons. The most significant drop occurred in 2018, with a decline of 5.8%, while the largest increase was observed in 2019, at 4.0%.

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

Exports garlic from Tanzania

Exports in kind, t

The market experienced notable fluctuations during this period. The minimum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 1.1 tons, while the maximum reached 198.0 tons in 2020, representing a dramatic 189-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Tanzania exported 198.0 tons of garlic, marking a sharp year-over-year increase of 18,757.1%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018, with a drop of 89.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Kenya, Mozambique, and Malawi—collectively accounted for 87.5% of Tanzania's total garlic exports in volume terms.

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, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility over the observed period. The lowest export value was recorded in 2019 at 0.3 thousand US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2020 at 46.0 thousand US dollars, showing a top-to-bottom ratio of 167 times. In 2020, garlic exports from Tanzania reached 46.0 thousand US dollars, which is 16,649.0% higher than the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, with a decrease of 86.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the main buyers of Tanzanian garlic in value terms were Burundi (44.5% of exports), Kenya (25.5% of exports), and Mozambique (16.5% of exports). Together, these three countries formed 86.6% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports garlic to Tanzania

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, garlic deliveries to Tanzania increased. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 484.6 tons, while in 2020, imports totaled 736.1 tons, which is 51.9% higher than the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 32.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.9%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, with a decrease of 7.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China dominated Tanzania's garlic imports in volume terms, accounting for 83.6% of the total, while the remaining flows were distributed among multiple smaller partners.

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, K $ US

Following a two-year drop, foreign garlic supplies to Tanzania increased. The minimum import value was recorded in 2019 at 259.5 thousand US dollars, while in 2020, Tanzania imported a total of 395.5 thousand US dollars of garlic, indicating a sharp improvement of 52.4% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 30.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 9.2%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, with a decrease of 14.2%.

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

In the period from 2017 to 2020, the country structure of imports in value terms was highly concentrated, with China alone accounting for 90.8% of total flows.

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

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