Tanzania’s coffee exports hit a historic milestone, generating a record-breaking $231 million in revenue for the country’s economy. This achievement is a result of Tanzania’s ambitious goal of producing 300,000 tonnes of coffee by 2025 or 2026. Initiatives like distributing free coffee tree seeds to farmers have contributed to the increased coffee output. The Coffee Research Institute in Tanzania is also playing a crucial role by producing 20 million coffee tree seedlings annually, supporting the government’s efforts to expand the coffee industry and uplift the livelihoods of farmers. This remarkable growth in coffee exports has significantly contributed to the economic prosperity of Tanzania since gaining independence.Tanzania Coffee Board (TCB) general director, Primus Kimaryo, revealed that the country’s coffee exports reached 81,498 tonnes during the 2022-2023 season. This represents a significant increase compared to the previous season, which saw 66,605 tonnes of coffee shipped and contributed $206.23 million to the economy. The country has set a national goal of producing 300,000 tonnes of coffee by 2025 or 2026. To achieve this target, initiatives such as providing free coffee tree seeds to farmers will be implemented. These efforts aim to support the growth of the coffee industry in Tanzania and further enhance the economic benefits for farmers and the nation as a whole.
To maintain coffee production in Tanzania, between nine and eleven million coffee tree seedlings will be distributed to farmers by September of this year, according to Primus Kimaryo, the general director of Tanzania Coffee Board (TCB). The aim is to sustain output levels and meet the national target. The Tanzania Coffee Research Institute (TaCRI) has set a goal of creating 20 million coffee tree seedlings annually.
In October 2022, TCB announced plans to provide three million free Robusta coffee seedlings to farmers, aiming to boost the production of this profitable crop. These initiatives have yielded positive results, as coffee output in Tanzania increased from an average of 50,000 tonnes per year to 73,022 tonnes during the 2020-2021 coffee harvesting season.
The current prices for coffee in Tanzania are Sh2,000 per kilogram for Robusta coffee and Sh3,000 per kilogram for Arabica coffee. The government’s efforts, combined with the availability of coffee tree seedlings and favorable market prices, have contributed to the growth of Tanzania’s coffee industry and the economic benefits for farmers in the country.
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