Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe, Zimpapers Business Hub
TANGANDA Tea Company’s aggressive value-addition drive and diversification of crop export markets is yielding tangible results, with the new avocado oil extraction joint-venture plant successfully processing 1 931 tonnes of secondary-grade fruit in its maiden year of operation in 2025, the company has said.
In a trading update, the country’s largest horticultural exporter said the investment marks a major turning point in transforming what was previously waste into a high-value commodity with strong export potential.
“The new avocado oil extraction joint venture plant processed 1 931 tonnes of secondary grade fruit in its maiden year of operation, 2025.
“This value addition innovation will boost the Company’s revenue in the future and has created a market for the Company’s and other growers’ secondary grade fruit. In the prior year 400 tonnes of secondary grade avocado fruit which could not find a market were composted leading to loss of potential revenue.
“In preparation for the plant’s second season, management has approached Mozambican avocado growers who have expressed interest in supplying fruit to the oil extraction plant. Estimated fruit of approximately 1 000 tonnes from Mozambique will enhance plant capacity utilisation.”
The plant is now expected to operate at higher capacity in the forthcoming season, driven not only by Tanganda’s own production but also by regional supply, particularly from Mozambique.
This development positions Zimbabwe as an emerging player in the global avocado oil processing value chain.
Management said the company is continuing with its deliberate strategy to diversify markets for its agricultural produce as part of efforts to improve export earnings and secure higher average selling prices across product lines.
Following the landmark agreement between the Governments of Zimbabwe and China on the export of fresh avocados, Tanganda confirmed it is now officially registered on the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC).
Exports of Zimbabwean avocados to the lucrative Chinese market are expected to commence in early 2026, unlocking new growth opportunities for both Tanganda and local avocado growers.
The company said potential Chinese buyers were successfully identified in June 2025, undertaken in collaboration with ZimTrade.
The expansion into China adds to Tanganda’s growing export footprint and further strengthens its ambition to transform Zimbabwe into a competitive horticultural export hub through value addition, innovation, and market diversification.
