Tanzania is one of the leading banana-producing countries in the African region. Bananas are grown to enhance food security, cultural practices, and economic development. Most of the production is dominated by smallholder farmers; it is among the essential crops in both local diets and national agricultural production. This case study outlines the current situation of the Tanzanian banana industry, describing production data, producers’ problems, and potential opportunities in the future.

It is a staple food for millions of Tanzanians and dramatically contributes to the agricultural GDP. According to FAO’s data for 2021, the country produces approximately 3.7 million metric tons per year, ranking Tanzania among the largest producers in sub-Saharan Africa. Major regions include Kilimanjaro, Kagera, Arusha, and Mbeya, representing over 70% of national production owing to favorable climates and well-established farming practices.

Despite its high production, the banana industry is still highly informal, meaning that most bananas produced are consumed locally. Bananas are essential for food security because they are a source of carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals throughout the year and are highly nutritionally relevant.

In Tanzania, several banana varieties are grown to serve the following purposes:

Cooking Bananas (Plantains/Matoke): These bananas are grown in the Kilimanjaro and Kagera Districts. They are generally used as food, boiled, steamed, or mashed into meals.

Dessert Bananas are softer and sweeter and can be consumed raw or processed into snacks like banana chips. Varieties such as Williams, Cavendish, and Mchare are popular in local markets and have export potential.

In Tanzania, bananas are an essential economic and social factor for influence. This is mainly among smallholder farmers. About 25 percent of all households in Tanzania are estimated to engage in banana production. More than four million Tanzanians benefit from banana production, processing, and marketing processes.

In regions like Kagera and Kilimanjaro, bananas account for 40 percent of household income. While most bananas are consumed locally, a small but growing banana export market is also available. “In 2022, Tanzania exported about 18,000 metric tons of bananas, fetching US$12.5 million in revenue. The main export markets are neighboring countries like Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, though the potential for exportation to the European and Middle Eastern markets has yet to be fully utilized.

Despite its importance, the banana industry also faces a few challenges. These prevent it from realizing its full potential. It includes outbreaks of pests and diseases, limited access to improved farming technologies, and marketing constraints.

The general effect of diseases, such as the Banana Bunchy Top Virus and Fusarium wilt, on banana production in Tanzania has been adverse. BBTV stunts growth and prevents fruiting. It has devastated whole banana plantations, especially in the Kagera region. Data from the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute indicated that yields from the crop fell by as much as 30 to 50% in areas prone to disease outbreaks in the last ten years.

Another severe attack is caused by the soil-borne fungus Fusarium wilt, which is particularly serious in Cavendish banana varieties. In addition to the attack, the non-feasibility of effective pest management measures and the limited availability of disease-resistant banana varieties aggravate these challenges.

While Tanzania has emerged as one of the biggest banana-producing countries in Africa, banana productivity still needs to improve compared to other banana-producing countries. Average yields are about 6 to 7 tons per hectare, which is very low compared to potential yields of 25-40 tons per hectare realized in countries with better farming systems. This is usually due to continued traditional farming practices, small fertilizer applications, and limited access to improved high-yielding and disease-resistant varieties.

Post-harvest losses remain one of the significant challenges to banana farmers, especially those from rural areas with limited access to storage and processing facilities. It is estimated that 30-40% of bananas are lost in harvest, transport, and storage due to poor handling and underdeveloped cold storage infrastructures. Such losses lower farmers’ incomes and limit their efforts to enter more lucrative export markets.

Most farmers rely on local markets for banana sales, with a few being exported. The farmers have had to deal with logistical problems like poor road networks and expensive transport costs. It limits them from reaching big and lucrative markets. Much of the banana fruits spoil before reaching the market centers due to a lack of long-distance transport infrastructure.

Despite such challenges, several opportunities abound that could extrapolate the banana industry in Tanzania if taken advantage of.

Rejuvenating the banana industry in Tanzania will be logically complemented by adopting disease-resistant and high-yielding banana varieties. In the last two years, TARI has developed, promoted, and distributed disease-resistant banana varieties like NARITA and FHIA-17, which are resistant to BBTV and Fusarium wilt. These varieties can increase yields by 30-50%, improving food security and offering better incomes to farmers.

However, there is an increasing interest in exporting Tanzanian bananas to international markets. Provided investment in post-harvest handling and certification processes is well accorded, Tanzania may exploit high-demand markets in the European Union, Middle East, and Asia. According to the East African Business Council, the export market can grow annually by 15-20% if properly managed.

Value addition is encouraged in the banana sector through agro-processing. Processing bananas for banana flour, chips, and beverages will reduce post-harvest losses and improve farmers’ incomes. Companies like Shambani Graduates Enterprises have processed banana flour for local consumption and export. Scaling this up could present an opportunity for new sources of income, especially in foreign markets with a growing demand for organic and gluten-free foodstuffs.

Infrastructure investments are needed mainly in rural road networks, storage facilities, and cold chains, which will reduce post-harvest losses and improve market access. A number of development projects, such as the Tanzania Rural and Urban Roads Agency, are already working on improving connectivity in banana-growing regions to help farmers reach bigger markets more efficiently.

For its part, the Tanzanian government has also been working to support the industry with its international partners. For example, TARI’s National Banana Research Program improves banana varieties while promoting sustainable farming and training farmers. The government’s ASDP also supports banana farmers by giving subsidies on fertilizers and improved seeds, among other training programs.

Future policy support, which would reduce trade barriers, offer financial incentives to smallholder farmers, and encourage investment in agro-processing, will be essential to future sectoral growth.

Tanzania’s banana industry remains an important sector within the country’s agricultural landscape; hence, it is a source of food security and income. Though diseases, low productivity, and limited market access continue to be major challenges, significant opportunities for growth still abound. However, bananas have the potential to be fully realized in Tanzania through investment in disease-resistant varieties, better infrastructure, value addition, and venturing into the foreign market. This will require significant collaboration on development by the government, farmers, and the private sector in the next decade.