Tanzania's agricultural exports reached a historic $3.2 billion in 2025, according to data released by the Tanzania Revenue Authority, representing a 24% increase from the previous year and cementing the sector's position as a key driver of economic growth.

The record performance was driven by strong global demand for Tanzania's traditional export crops — cashew nuts, coffee, and tobacco — alongside rapid growth in non-traditional products including horticultural goods, spices, and processed foods.

Breaking Down the Numbers

The $3.2 billion total breaks down as follows:

• Cashew nuts — $890 million (up 35% from 2024)
• Coffee — $520 million (up 18%)
• Tobacco — $450 million (up 8%)
• Horticultural products — $380 million (up 45%)
• Spices — $220 million (up 28%)
• Processed foods — $190 million (up 52%)
• Other agricultural products — $550 million (up 15%)

The most notable trend is the growing share of processed and value-added products, which now account for approximately 18% of agricultural exports, up from just 11% five years ago.

"We're not just exporting raw commodities anymore. Tanzania is moving up the value chain, and that means more jobs, more income, and more sustainable growth."

— Hussein Bashe, Minister for Agriculture

Cashew Renaissance

Tanzania has reclaimed its position as Africa's largest cashew producer, with output reaching 280,000 tonnes in 2025. The revival follows government intervention to stabilize prices and expand processing capacity domestically.

A decade ago, most of Tanzania's cashew crop was exported raw to India and Vietnam for processing. Today, approximately 40% is processed domestically, capturing value that previously went overseas.

"The transformation has been remarkable," said Ally Musa, chairman of the Cashew Board of Tanzania. "We've invested in processing facilities, trained workers, and built relationships with international buyers who want processed kernels. The results speak for themselves."

Coffee Quality Premium

Tanzanian coffee continues to command premium prices in international markets, with specialty lots from the Kilimanjaro and Mbeya regions fetching prices 30-40% above commodity benchmarks.

Investment in quality improvement programs, farmer training, and certification schemes has paid dividends. Tanzania now accounts for approximately 8% of African coffee exports, up from 5% a decade ago.

Emerging Categories

Perhaps the most exciting growth is in non-traditional export categories:

• Avocados have emerged as a major export, with shipments to Europe growing from negligible volumes five years ago to over $80 million in 2025
• Spices, particularly cloves, cardamom, and vanilla, are finding strong demand in Asian and Middle Eastern markets
• Processed foods, including fruit juices, dried fruits, and packaged snacks, are growing rapidly as local manufacturers achieve international quality standards

Trade Infrastructure Improvements

Export growth has been supported by significant improvements in trade infrastructure:

• Port efficiency at Dar es Salaam has improved dramatically, with average container dwell times falling from 14 days to 6 days
• Cold chain facilities have been expanded, enabling temperature-sensitive exports like fresh produce
• Agricultural export zones near major production areas provide processing and packing facilities

Challenges Remain

Despite the record performance, the agricultural sector faces ongoing challenges:

• Climate variability remains a significant risk, with increasing frequency of droughts and floods
• Access to finance is limited for smallholder farmers and rural processors
• Quality consistency varies across supply chains, limiting access to premium markets
• Infrastructure gaps persist in remote production areas

Looking Ahead

The government has set an ambitious target of $5 billion in agricultural exports by 2030. Achieving this will require continued investment in value addition, infrastructure, and farmer support programs.

"The foundation is in place," said Dr. Florence Turuka, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture. "We have the land, the climate, and increasingly the infrastructure. The task now is to ensure that growth is sustainable and inclusive — that it benefits the millions of Tanzanians who depend on agriculture for their livelihoods."

For now, the 2025 results represent a significant milestone in Tanzania's agricultural development and a signal that the sector's transformation is gathering momentum.