Farm exports from Tanzania gain traction in China

He thanked China for granting duty-free access for African goods, saying the move has opened new opportunities for Tanzanian farmers and traders.

“We are seeing real results, with our products finding pathways into the Chinese market. Beyond avocado and honey, sesame, cassava, cotton seed cake and chillies are now in demand,” he said.

Mr Kombo highlighted that sesame seeds are widely used in Chinese foods, including bread, sweets, and Beijing duck.

He also noted that cotton seed cake is increasingly popular for mushroom cultivation.

“We need to learn from China how they use cotton seed cake for mushroom farming. It is an area we could develop locally,” he said.

He added that chillies are especially popular in Sichuan Province, while sunflower seed cake and marine products are also entering the Chinese market.

Mr Kombo described the growing exports as proof that Tanzania-China relations are delivering tangible results.

“This year, our relations have focused on deepening cooperation, coordinating on bilateral and multilateral issues, and accelerating joint initiatives,” he said.

Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania Chen Mingjian said China has made remarkable progress in innovation, including artificial intelligence, supercomputers, deep-sea exploration and new energy technologies, contributing nearly 30 percent annually to global economic growth.

“China has always placed its development within the broader framework of human development and solidarity with the Global South,” she said.

“We have lifted 850 million people out of poverty and advanced global cooperation.”

Ambassador Chen added that China has remained Africa’s largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years, with bilateral trade hitting almost $300 billion in 2024.

Under the zero-tariff arrangement, 53 African countries now enjoy duty-free access to the Chinese market, boosting exports from the continent.

“China has expanded imports of Tanzanian products, including honey, avocado and aquatic goods. We have also invested in health projects such as the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute and medical training programmes,” she said.

She further added that agricultural cooperation has advanced as well, with the use of satellite and digital technologies to boost production.

“China stands ready to work with Tanzania to deepen cooperation across all sectors, strengthen our all-weather friendship, and advance modernisation together,” she said.