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China-Africa Trade Information Service
info.afrindex.com
China-Africa Trade Information Service
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The Government of Tanzania (GoT) is focusing on developing local industries and making large investments in infrastructure and energy sector development, which present opportunities for China exports.Tanzania's main trading partners are China, India, the European Union (EU) and neighboring Southern African Development Community (SADC) and East African Community (EAC)countries.
Basic Economic Statistics:(2017/2018)
Real GDP growth in 2017: 7.1percent
Nominal GDP –2016 (current) $47.39billion
GDP per capita –2017: $1,021.0
Consumer price inflation: Annualheadline inflation averaged 3.3percent in the quarter ending September 2018, slightly lower than 6.0percent in the corresponding quarter in 2017. Food inflation dropped significantly to an average of 2.4 percent from 11.0 percent due to increases in production. Non-food inflation averaged 4.5 percent, up from 3.2 percent.
Total Exports: $4,827.8million for 2017
Total Imports: $7,551.7million for 2017
Opportunities Investment in agro-processing industries entails adding value, and improvement of standards of quality. The following are key areas:
1.Fruit/ Vegetable processing: A large variety of fruits and vegetables are produced in Tanzania. The most important fruits include mangoes, oranges, pineapples, passion fruits, bananas, avocados, jackfruits, papayas, peaches, pears, guavas and grapes. The main vegetables include tomatoes, okra and chilies. Annual Tanzania production is 2.75 million of tons of fruits and vegetables but only 4 percent is processed. There is a significant potential for provision of heavy equipment for commercial farming and processing of fruits and vegetables for the locals as well as export markets. A large variety of fruits and vegetables are produced in Tanzania.
2.Cashew nut Processing: Cashews are a major cash crop in Tanzania and production has risen to 120,000 tons annually. However, only about 10 percent of the cashew nuts produced within the country is processed in Tanzania. There is an opportunity in rehabilitating old plants or establishing medium-scale processing plants.
3.Oil seeds:Tanzania still imports a lot of edible oil. Processing of oilseeds locally is now on the rise, therefore there is potential in supplying oil pressing and processing equipment. Common oil seeds produced in the country include sunflower, sesame, groundnuts,palm oils, etc.
4.Textile and apparel: Tanzania produces abundant cotton but only 20 percent is locally processed. The sector has great investment potential in establishing fully integrated textile mills as well as plants for cotton ginning, yarn fabric production (spinning, weaving and printing) and cut, make and trim (CMT) units. With the high level of unemployment and the high availability of raw material there is a very great potential for establishing clothing factories that can produce garments for export.
5.Leather sector: Tanzania has a large livestock population (17.7 million cattle, 12.5 million goats and 3.5 million sheep) and produces about 2.6 million pieces of raw hides and skins annually. A large portion is exported raw and only 10 percent is processed. Investment opportunities in the leather sector include establishment of modern tanneries and leather finishing production units.
6.Meat and Dairy Sector: Given the large livestock population, the country is ideal for meat processing, packaging and processing of dairy products. Investment opportunities include establishment of meat processing plants, dairy products processing plants and cattle ranches.
Opportunities exist in the chemical industries also as there is local demand for fertilizers and pesticides.Investors can establish manufacturing operations in the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) using either the SEZ User License or SEZ Export User License and enjoy the lucrativeincentives provided by the scheme. Among existing investment sectors in Tanzania are agro processing, textile and garments, lapidary, leather processing, fish processing, forest and forestry.
Food processing investments rely on imported machinery and technologies.Machinery and equipment for the following are in the greatest demand:
Production of fruit concentrates and juices and all forms of fruit and vegetable canning
Cashew nut processing
Specialty coffee processing
Sugar cane processing at sugar factories
Fish processing and packaging for export
Meat processing and packaging from both cattle and game meat
Production of processed dairy products such as sweetened condensed milk, milk powder, infant milk formula, butter, margarine, ice cream, yogurt, cheese, etc.
Horticultural packaging, including cut flowers and fresh vegetables.
Quality storage technologies
Irrigation pivots
Tractors, mechanization
