Avocados & Cashews: East Africa’s Global Commodity Boom

Tanzania, Kenya, Mozambique – The 2025 Investor & Importer Guide

Title:East Africa’s Avocado & Cashew Boom: The 2025 Investor Roadmap to Tanzania, Kenya & Mozambique’s Fastest-Growing Export Sectors

Meta Description (SEO Ready):Explore the 2025 avocado and cashew export boom across Tanzania, Kenya, and Mozambique. Learn about global demand, EU/China/UAE standards, GACC & phytosanitary rules, packhouse requirements, processing opportunities, supply chain challenges, and key investment entry points.

Avocados & Cashews: East Africa’s Global Commodity Boom

A Strategic 2025 Guide for Importers, Investors & Agribusiness Developers

Between 2021 and 2024, East Africa emerged as one of the world’s most competitive suppliers of Hass avocados and premium cashew nuts — driven by strong global demand, ideal climatic conditions, and new investments in packhouses, cold-chain systems, and value-added processing.

In 2025, Tanzania, Kenya, and Mozambique are positioning themselves among the top global horticulture and nut exporters, attracting importers from the EU, China, India, UAE, and the US.

This article breaks down the opportunity, regulations, market demand, farming economics, logistics, and investment models.

1. Why Avocados & Cashews Are East Africa’s Hottest Commodities (2025 Snapshot)

1.1 Global Avocado Demand Is Exploding

According to FAO and OECD:

• Global avocado demand is growing by +5–7% annually

• EU, UK, China & Middle East are the fastest-growing markets

• Tanzania & Kenya benefit from year-round harvesting cycles

East Africa’s harvest windows (Feb–Nov) strategically fill the off-season gap for Mexico, Peru & Colombia.

1.2 Cashew Nuts: Tanzania Is Rising as a Global Leader

Tanzania is among Africa’s top 3 cashew nut producers:

• 2024 production: 250,000–300,000 MT/year

• Global demand for processed kernels continues to surge

• India's processing industry is importing more African RCN (Raw Cashew Nuts)

The shift is clear — investors want direct-from-source cashews with predictable pricing and consistent quality.

2. Tanzania, Kenya & Mozambique: Export Strengths by Country

2.1 Tanzania — The Rising Star in Horticulture & Nuts

Avocados:

• High oil content

• Long season (Feb–Nov)

• Rapid orchard expansion in Njombe, Iringa, Mbeya, Arusha

• Highly competitive farmgate prices

Cashews:

• Global reputation for large nut size

• Strong government emphasis on processing

• Investment incentives through TIC & EPZ

2.2 Kenya — Africa’s Premium Packhouse Hub

Kenya remains the region’s most advanced horticulture exporter with:

• EU-certified packhouses (BRC, Global GAP, HACCP)

• Mature supply chain

• Direct flights to Europe, Middle East, China

• Aggressive GACC registration push for China market

2.3 Mozambique — Cashew Giant with Huge Potential

Mozambique’s strengths:

• Significant raw cashew output

• Low production costs

• Growing processing clusters in Nampula & Cabo Delgado

• Easy export to India & Middle East

3. 2025 Export Regulations & Certifications (Updated)

3.1 Avocados: Required Export Documents

Tanzania & Kenya

• Phytosanitary Certificate

• Plant Health Inspection (KPHIS/TPHPA)

• GLOBAL GAP Certification (if entering EU)

• GACC Registration (for China)

• Certificate of Origin (EAC or SADC rules)

• Cold chain compliance documents

• Quality Grade Report

Importer-Specific Rules

China (GACC):

• Exporter and packhouse must be on GACC list

• Shipment must come from a fruit fly free zone

• Requires strict cold treatment

EU (DG SANTE):

• MRL compliance

• Pesticide testing

• Traceability documentation

3.2 Cashews: Required Export Documents

• Phytosanitary Certificate

• SGS Grading & Quality Report

• Aflatoxin test (if processed kernels)

• Certificate of Origin

• Export permit

• Packaging compliance

Popular cashew grades:

• W320 (global standard)

• W240 (premium)

• W180 (super-premium)

• Splits, pieces

4. Global Market Demand (2025 Outlook)

4.1 Avocado Demand in Key Markets

• EU: Largest importer — >1.1 million MT in 2024

• China: Growing at 20–25% yearly after GACC approvals

• UAE & Saudi Arabia: Hospitality-driven import surge

• India: Rapid adoption among urban consumers

East Africa is uniquely positioned to supply premium Hass during global shortage windows.

4.2 Cashew Demand Hotspots

• India: Biggest importer of raw cashew nuts

• Vietnam: Processing hub needing African RCN

• Middle East: High demand for roasted & flavoured cashews

• EU & US: Premium nuts for supermarket chains

Demand remains stable and price-resistant.

5. Opportunities for Investors (2025)

5.1 Entry Opportunity: Farm-Level Partnerships

Investors can:

• Finance orchard expansion

• Use revenue share models

• Access guaranteed supply contracts

High ROI due to low production costs and strong export demand.

5.2 Packhouse Investment (High Return)

East Africa needs:

• BRC-certified packhouses

• Cold rooms

• Sorting & grading lines

• Export-compliant warehouses

This sector delivers strong margins due to rising global demand.

5.3 Cashew Processing Plants

Processing is the highest-value investment:

• Kernel output

• Flavoured cashews

• Nut butter

• Value-added snack lines

Government incentives in Tanzania and Mozambique include:

• Tax breaks

• Duty exemptions on machinery

• EPZ incentives - Currently TISEZA

5.4 Cold Chain Infrastructure (Massive Gap)

Investors can enter:

• Refrigerated trucks

• Cold storage depots

• Packhouse cold rooms

• Ripening rooms

Demand is far higher than supply.

6. Logistics: Best Export Routes (2025 Updated)

Avocados

• Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) → EU, UAE, China

• Kilimanjaro & Julius Nyerere Airports → Middle East

• Mombasa Port → Refrigerated sea freight

• Dar es Salaam Port → China & Middle East

Cashew Nuts

• Mtwara Port (Tanzania) – closest to cashew belt

• Dar es Salaam Port

• Beira & Nacala Ports (Mozambique)

Sea freight is preferred due to volume.

7. Quality Standards & Grading (What Buyers Look For)

Avocados

Buyers check:

✔ Oil content %

✔ Dry matter

✔ Skin firmness

✔ No latex burn

✔ No mechanical damage

✔ Proper maturity index

Cashews

Buyers check:

✔ Nut count per kg

✔ Kernel size (W180–W320

)✔ Moisture < 5%

✔ Defects

✔ Colour

✔ Aflatoxin levels

8. Risk Management for Importers & Investors

✔ Work with certified packhouses

✔ Avoid non-GACC exporters for China

✔ Insist on SGS or Bureau Veritas inspection

✔ Avoid exporters without traceability

✔ Insist on moisture tests (cashews)

✔ Avoid farm-level purchases with no quality control

✔ Always perform pre-shipment inspection

9. Recommended Investor Models for Zatra Clients

Model A — Contract Farming (Guaranteed Volume)

We design your contract, manage compliance, and supervise supply.

Model B — Packhouse Ownership or Co-Ownership

Highest ROI investment in horticulture.

Model C — Export Trading Office via Zatra

• Tanzania office setup

• Licensing

• Export support

• Supplier management

• QA supervision

Model D — Cashew Processing Plant (EPZ Incentives)

We handle:

• Licensing

• Engineering plans

• Machinery sourcing

• EPZ/TIC incentives

• Export market entry

  
  

10.Want to export or invest in avocados or cashews from East Africa?

Zatra Consultants provides:

• Packhouse verification

• GACC compliance

• Export licensing

• Supply chain audits

• Investor partnership structures

• Field inspection & due diligence**

📩 sales@zatra.co📞 +255 747 912 965