Grapes market in Tanzania

Earlier Report Observations

The Tanzanian grape market volume grew consistently from 10 134 t in 2018 to 17 342 t in 2023, supported by production increases from 10 361 t to 16 986 t over the same period. This expansion was initially facilitated by the 2018 launch of the Tanzania Mercantile Exchange (TMX), which provided a structured trading platform improving market access and price competitiveness for grape farmers. Subsequent growth from 2023 onward was driven by direct government interventions to revive grape farming in Dodoma, including practical training for farmers, the introduction of a guaranteed buyer through Shinyanga Jambo Company, and the rollout of plans to build local processing and storage infrastructure.

A notable shift occurred in trade patterns as the market expanded. While imports saw a moderate rise, exports collapsed from 950 t in 2022 to just 2 t in 2024. This realignment corresponded with the 2024 inauguration of a grape juice processing plant at Chinangali II, which offered a reliable domestic outlet for about 300 t of grapes annually. The government's increased agricultural budget and new contract farming frameworks further incentivized production for the local market, reducing reliance on export channels.

Policy and regulatory developments solidified the market's growth trajectory. The Finance Act 2024 clarified tax rules affecting wine, while the Fair Competition (Amendment) Act adjusted market dominance thresholds. Concurrent investments, such as the expansion of the TMX online platform and increased financing from the Tanzania Agricultural Development Bank (TADB), enhanced market efficiency and farmers' access to capital, creating a more integrated and supportive environment for the grape value chain.

Production grapes in Tanzania

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of grapes, 2017-2020

World map of production of grapes, 2017-2020

Tanzania's grape production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 12 441 tonnes of grapes, marking a modest 9.6% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 32%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.7%.

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

Exports grapes from Tanzania

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Tanzania's grape export volume totalled 550.7 tonnes, representing a 31.2% year-over-year decline. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 8.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.8%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 514.0 tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 800.5 tonnes. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 55.7% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kenya was the dominant market for Tanzania's grape exports in volume terms, accounting for 99.4% of total flows.

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 during the observed period. The minimum export value was recorded in 2018 at 15.6 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2017, showing a 10.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Tanzania's grape export value was 35.2 thousand US dollars, a 33.5% decrease compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 90.2%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 240.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kenya was the primary and nearly exclusive market for Tanzania's grape exports in value terms, representing 98.6% 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 grapes to Tanzania

Imports in kind, t

Tanzania's grape imports have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 358.8 tonnes, up 5.3% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 21.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.6%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 287.3 tonnes. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 3.1%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 18.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates formed the dominant pair of markets for Tanzania's grape imports in volume terms, jointly accounting for 90.6% of total flows, with other countries making up the remainder.

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

In 2020, Tanzania's imported grape value stood at 305.7 thousand US dollars, an 11.8% increase compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 273.5 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2018 at 382.0 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 28.4%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 26.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa consistently accounted for 73.5% of Tanzania's total grape imports in value terms, indicating a high concentration on this market, with the rest shared among other countries.

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

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