Westfalia Fruit is working with more than 350 smallholder avocado growers in Tanzania’s Njombe region through a grower development programme that began with four participants three years ago. Some have since expanded into commercial cultivation. The company recently took a delegation of participating growers to India to see how their fruit reaches consumers.

The programme operates in partnership with Kibidula in southern Tanzania. Participating growers cultivate between 1 and 60 hectares and supply Kibidula’s packhouse, which employs more than 100 people and handles grading and export preparation. Kibidula provides technical support to help growers meet international market requirements. The programme is estimated to support more than 1,000 households.

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Access to export markets has provided additional income opportunities and encouraged investment in avocado orchards. Approximately 10 growers who initially joined as smallholders have expanded into commercial operations.

“Smallholders are an important part of how we build our supply base,” says Zac Bard, New Sourcing Strategy Director at Westfalia Fruit. “In Njombe, the growers bring the land and the commitment, and together with Kibidula we bring technical support, a state-of-the-art modern packhouse and access to international markets. When growers do well, the wider community benefits, and growers re-invest, improve and expand their avocado orchards. That is the kind of partnership we want to keep building.”

The delegation included growers from the Ng’anda, Wanging’ombe, Kifanya, Mgodechi and Makoga clusters. They visited Mumbai and Hyderabad, meeting customers, visiting wholesale and retail markets, and touring Westfalia Fruit India’s ripening and distribution facilities. Female grower representatives also participated.

India is a developing market for avocados, with demand influenced by consumer awareness, dietary changes, and interest in healthy food. Westfalia Fruit supplies the market primarily from African origins.

“Tanzania has enormous potential as a supplier of high-quality avocados to international markets,” says Bard. “When growers experience the market directly and understand what customers expect in terms of quality and what consumers prefer, they make better decisions on the farm. That helps them strengthen their businesses and supports the continued growth of Tanzania’s avocado industry.”

Information gathered during the visit is being shared with other participating growers across Njombe.

The programme focuses on developing avocado supply chains through technical assistance, market access and knowledge sharing.

For more information:
Jelle Wigboldus
Westfalia Fruit Group
Tel: +31 636 185 110
Email: [email protected]
www.westfaliafruit.com