Europe and Asia are significant markets for Tanzania avocado. Rise in disposable income is the biggest factor expected to leapfrog avocado consumption in these regions. Meanwhile, a burgeoning population in some nations offers avocados from Tanzania plenty of headroom for growth.
Avocado in Tanzania
Tanzania is the third largest avocado producer in Africa. The trip from avocado farms in Tanzania to overseas markets is a complex one. Just like any other fresh produce, avocados have a short shelf life.
The main avocado season in Tanzania lasts from March to September and peaks again in January and February. Being a climacteric fruit, avocado ripens only after harvesting. Only mature avocados are picked so as to withstand the rigors of handling and transportation.
Exporting Avocados from Tanzania
Keeping avocado from Tanzania fresh requires a cold chain. Once they are picked, they are kept refrigerated constantly so as to deliver the best ripeness before they hit the shelves. Ripening and softening is delayed by pre-cooling the fruit immediately after harvest.
Here are the optimum Controlled Atmosphere (CA) storage and transport conditions for Tanzania avocados:
- Unripe fruit is stored at temperatures between 8°C and 12°C and for ripe fruit it is between 5°C and 12°C.
- Relative humidity during storage is between 85% and 90%.
- Fruit is stored under proper ventilation at 2% to 5% oxygen and up to 10% carbon dioxide.
- Fruit is stored and transported at very low ethylene levels to reduce early softening.
During the journey from tree to shelf, avocados release carbon dioxide, ethylene, water vapour and heat. As a result, storage for ripe fruit is between 7 and 14 days and up to 28 days for unripe fruit to prevent rotting. CA transportation through refrigerated or reefer containers extends the shelf life up to 6 weeks.
Here are other details you need to know about shipping avocado from Tanzania:
- Avocados are packaged in single layers in fruit crates or cartons and sometimes with padding and palletized.
- Avocado cargo is handled carefully because it is sensitive to impact, pressure, heat and moisture.
- Avocados are kept in good hygienic conditions because they can spoil when exposed to dirt.
Avocado Exporters in Tanzania
The government of Tanzania regulates exporting of avocados primarily through the Tanzania Horticultural Association (TAHA) and the Tanzania Plant Health and Pesticides Authority (TPHPA). These bodies ensure that Tanzania avocados sold in markets abroad are of exceptional quality. Avocados leave the country either through the Julius Nyerere International Airport or the Port of Dar es Salaam or the Port of Mombasa.
Avocado exporters in Tanzania must meet the following requirements:
- Have an export license from Business Registrations and Licensing Agency (BRELA)
- Have an export permit from the Ministry of Agriculture
- Have a Quality and Standard Analysis Certificate from Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS)
- Have a Certificate of Radioactive Analysis from Tanzania Atomic Energy Commission (TAEC)
- Have a Certificate of Origin from Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture (TCCIA)
- Have a Phytosanitary Certificate from the Ministry of Agriculture
- Have a Global G.A.P Certificate
Here is a top exporter of Tanzania avocado
Freshela Exporters
Freshela is a Kenyan based company that engages in the sourcing, processing and exporting of avocados and other fresh produce.
Freshela is a proud exporter of Tanzania avocados. We source avocados from our company farm and partner farms.
We give competitive pricing to our customers and guarantee reliable delivery time.
We use a modern grading machine to achieve desired avocado weight. The fruit is also graded to eliminate any with physical quality defects.
We pack avocado fruit for both air and sea freights. All of our avocado packing is approved by FDA and is certified by HACCP Quality Assurance.