Yinchuan. Tanzania’s horticulture industry is eyeing a fresh opportunity as China tests a newly developed variety of small tomatoes specifically bred for fresh consumption.
The initiative could open the door for Tanzanian farmers to adopt the technology, cultivate the crop and tap into China’s vast market of more than 1.4 billion consumers.
The variety, currently undergoing trials at the Xingqing District Agricultural Technology Promotion Centre in Yinchuan City under Beijing Rongkun Agricultural Technology Co. Ltd, has an unusually long harvesting period – producing fruit for up to 10 months once the plant matures.
The Tanzania Horticulture Association (Taha) says this is the kind of innovation that could transform the country’s export potential.
The association recently reported securing fresh produce export deals worth $1.6 million (about Sh4 billion) at Asia Fruit Logistica 2025 – a major industry exhibition – underlining the growing international appetite for Tanzanian horticultural products. Taha chief executive officer Jacqueline Mkindi said several member companies attracted commitments from buyers across Asia. “The response from international markets continues to be encouraging.
Tanzanian fruits and vegetables are increasingly competitive because of their quality and consistency,” she said. Farmers involved in the Chinese pilot project say results so far have been promising.
“We are about 35 percent into the project and we have started to see the fruits ripen and turn red. The variety is sweet, and people can already eat them,” said a farm leader during a field visit.
Vice mayor of Yinchuan City, Ms Zhang Juan, explained that the team deliberately developed this variety to be eaten raw, unlike traditional tomatoes mainly used for cooking.
“We decided to come up with a variety that has a similar taste to regular tomatoes but can be consumed as a table fruit. It gives consumers another healthy and fresh snack option,” she said.
The tomatoes are grown in greenhouses, which create a controlled environment that shields crops from pests, diseases and extreme weather.
This method not only boosts yields but also supports sustainable farming by reducing the need for pesticides and other chemicals.
Greenhouse farming also enables more efficient water management, limits land degradation and helps protect forests by reducing the need to clear new farmland.
Sector experts say this development aligns with Tanzania’s efforts to scale up horticultural production, increase foreign exchange earnings and promote sustainable agriculture in line with global climate goals.
“With the right technology transfer and partnerships, Tanzanian farmers can benefit from this innovation, increase productivity and expand their footprint in the Chinese market,” Ms Mkindi said.
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