Tanzania has taken strict actions against Kandia Fresh Company, a Kenyan firm, by prohibiting them from buying avocados in Njombe, southeast Tanzania. The Ministry of Agriculture accused the company of engaging in illegal activities, specifically purchasing premature fruits and later discarding them in the Njombe Town Council dumpsite. Minister for Agriculture Hussein Bashe emphasized the gravity of the situation by demanding the immediate blacklisting of the company and the cancellation of their permit upon discovery of their presence in the country.
The controversy escalated when David Sifuna Barasa, an employee of Kandia Fresh Company, was apprehended for acquiring unripe avocados from middlemen without the necessary permit. Despite being questioned about the poor quality of the purchased fruits, Mr. Barasa claimed that they were initially harvested in good condition but mishandled thereafter. To combat such practices, Minister Bashe instructed agricultural extension officers and other government officials to inspect farms and prevent the premature harvesting of avocados to maintain quality standards and preserve the reputation of the avocado industry in Tanzania.
The enforcement of the ban and subsequent arrests extended to not only the company but also targeted two middlemen who were involved in crop cess evasion and unauthorized purchase of produce. These individuals were fined Tsh300,000 ($12.82) for their infractions, marking a stern stance against illegal avocado trading in the region. Tanzania has been capitalizing on avocado exports, with the industry rapidly gaining prominence as the country exported over 11,237 tonnes of avocados valued at $33 million in 2021. With anticipated exports of 15,000 tonnes this year, the sector is predicted to fetch $45 million in foreign exchange earnings, with Europe being the primary importer of Tanzanian avocados, led by countries such as France, the Netherlands, and the UK.