Eight exporters from Tanzania have secured agreements to supply the UK with 960 metric tonnes of fruits and vegetables, valued at approximately £2.3 million annually.
The development was announced by Anthony Chamanga, Chief Development Manager of the Tanzania Horticultural Association (TAHA), and marks the opening of the UK market for Tanzanian horticultural products.
The growing demand for fresh produce in the UK, particularly among the health-conscious middle class, has made fruits and vegetables the country’s leading imported food items.
Mbelwa Kairuki, Tanzania’s High Commissioner to the UK, along with TAHA, played a key role in connecting Tanzanian exporters with UK buyers. This collaboration is expected to create around 3,800 jobs in the supply chain, helping to reduce unemployment in the agricultural sector.
The Horticulture Exports Accelerator Programme (HEAP), in partnership with TAHA, supported a delegation of eight local companies in engaging with top UK importers to establish fruitful partnerships.
The delegation were part of the FPC Fresh Awards 24 Supplier Showcase, where they presented their products and secured contracts with potential buyers.
They also visited Spitalfields Market in London, a key hub for horticultural imports, to network with traders. The UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and Trademark Africa were acknowledged for their support in this initiative.
According to TAHA CEO Dr Jacqueline Mkindi, HEAP is designed to empower Tanzanian exporters by enabling them to take advantage of free trade agreements and meet international market standards, thereby enhancing the export capacity of Tanzanian companies and fostering sustainable trade relationships with businesses in the UK and Europe.
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