(3 Minutes Read)
Tanzania has solidified its position as the world’s second-largest producer of pigeon peas, with output projected to surpass 400,000 tonnes during the 2024/2025 agricultural season, according to recent figures released by the Cereals and Other Produce Regulatory Authority (COPRA). This marks a significant milestone for the country, trailing only India in global pigeon pea production.
In the previous season, Tanzania exported approximately 350,000 tonnes of pigeon peas to India—its primary international market—despite challenges in global pricing. This strong performance underscores the resilience of Tanzanian farmers, who continue to benefit from pigeon pea exports even as international market prices remain subdued.
COPRA’s Director General, Irene Mlola, explained that Tanzanian growers are currently earning between TZS 950 and TZS 1,200 per kilogram, which is roughly 75% of the price pigeon peas fetch in India’s domestic markets. She attributed the dip in prices to rising global supply, as other exporting nations have increased shipments to India, creating a more competitive environment.
To mitigate market uncertainties and ensure consistent demand, the Government of Tanzania is intensifying efforts to forge a more secure and structured trade relationship with India. Mlola revealed that COPRA recently led an official delegation to India to negotiate a government-to-government export agreement. The talks included high-level discussions with India’s Ministry of Consumer Affairs and focused on creating a direct export mechanism that would ensure a stable pipeline of Tanzanian pigeon peas into India’s national food reserves.
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These diplomatic and trade engagements aim to protect Tanzanian farmers from volatile international prices while securing long-term access to one of the world’s largest markets for pigeon peas.
