Tomato market in Tanzania

Earlier Report Observations

The tomato market in Tanzania experienced steady growth from 2018 to 2023, with production rising from 468.7 thousand tons to 580.5 thousand tons. This expansion was primarily driven by the launch of a five-year horticulture development initiative in 2019, supported by JICA and the Ministry of Agriculture, which introduced new farming techniques and improved market access for tomato growers in northern regions. The distribution of tomato seeds to hundreds of farmers under this program directly boosted planting and output.

Government support played a crucial role, with continued budget allocations for irrigation development and subsidies for seedlings and pesticides from 2020 onward. These measures helped farmers increase yield and reduce crop losses, particularly when combined with ongoing research into post-harvest handling technologies. Efforts to promote ecological organic agriculture and integrated pest management further enhanced production efficiency and resilience.

Technological adoption and policy incentives also contributed to the upward trend. Advances in biotech and disease control methods, highlighted since 2018, improved tomato productivity. By 2023, government policies aimed at boosting horticulture exports, under President Samia Suluhu Hassan, provided additional stimulus, even as the domestic market absorbed most of the growing production.

Production tomato in Tanzania

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of tomato, 2017-2020

World map of production of tomato, 2017-2020

Tomato production in Tanzania has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Tanzania produced 509.2 K t of tomatoes, marking a modest 5.0% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 9.7%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 3.1%.

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

Exports tomato from Tanzania

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the period. Import levels fluctuated significantly, with a threefold difference between the low in 2020 and the high in 2019. In 2020, Tanzania's tomato exports amounted to 856 t, reflecting a sharp decline of 66.6% from the previous year. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 2 566 t, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, with a growth of 91.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, nearly all of Tanzania's tomato exports in kind were directed to Kenya, which accounted for 99.2% of the 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 showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2019, with a 5.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Tanzania exported 68.4 K $ US worth of tomatoes, indicating a contraction of 57.0% from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 31.3 K $ US, while the maximum was in 2019 at 159.0 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 64.6%, and the largest increase was in 2019, with a surge of 407.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, 93.5% of Tanzania's tomato exports in value terms were sent to Kenya, making this market overwhelmingly dominant.

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

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

Imports tomato to Tanzania

Imports in kind, t

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. The lowest import volume occurred in 2020, while the highest was reached in 2019, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 21 times. In 2020, Tanzania's tomato imports totaled 15 t, representing a steep fall of 95.3% year-over-year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 321 t, and the largest increase was in 2018, with a growth of 278.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the structure of imports in kind was dominated by Kenya, which absorbed 85.8% of total flows, alongside a large number of minor 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

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Imports reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2019, with a 3.1-fold gap between these years. In 2020, tomato deliveries to Tanzania amounted to 6.0 K $ US, down by 68.1% year-over-year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 18.9 K $ US, and the largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 188.4%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, South Africa (40.8% of imports in value terms), Kenya (36.3% of imports in value terms), and Italy (14.8% of imports in value terms) formed the core of imports in value terms, together accounting for 91.9% 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