TANZANIA – President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan has affirmed clove farmers in Zanzibar of the government’s commitment to unlocking market opportunities for cloves throughincreased knowledge for high value output.
This announcement was made during the inauguration of the Karafuu Investment House of Zanzibar State Trade Cooperation (ZSTC) in the Pemba Islands on 9th January 2024 graced by President Samia.
“The government will continue to look for opportunities to increase skills and expertise in the scientific cultivation of cloves to enhance productivity and quality. Let’s not lower the value of our cloves,” President Samia stated.
She added: “The demand for cloves in the international market is still high, so let’s increase our efforts to produce because we haven’t been able to satisfy those needs to date.”
The ceremony, held as part of the 60th anniversary celebrations of the Zanzibar revolution, marked a pivotal moment for the clove industry and its contribution to the region’s economy.
According to President Samia, the current average clove production stands at 1.4 tonnes per acre, while other countries produce an average of 1.7 to 1.8 tonnes per acre.
The Karafuu Investment House aims to facilitate the sale of cloves for farmers, providing them with a streamlined process and eliminating challenges.
“Now cloves are measured scientifically; the era of measuring by hand is no longer there. Everything is measured by a machine that detects volume, grade, and moisture, and analyses it,” she explained.
President Samia implored the responsible use of the newly inaugurated building to achieve the government’s goals.
Spice Island
Zanzibar is known as the “Spice Island” and is famous for producing cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, and black pepper.
Tanzania produces Ceylon cinnamon, also known as “real cinnamon,” and cloves account for more than 90% of Tanzania’s spice exports worldwide.
Clove production only accounts for 50 per cent of the foreign currency and the sector caters to 70 per cent of the rural households’ livelihoods.
These numbers compel further improvement of the sub-sector, as substantiated by data from Market Research Future, which show that the global market size with reach USD 520 million by 2024, and 6.4 per cent Compound Annual Gross Rate (CAGR) in the period of 2019 to 2024.
There is global demand for spices attributed by dietary needs which keep growing and fuelled by communities leaning towards a health-conscious lifestyle.
However, according to the exchange, these markets are tilted in Zanzibar’s favour, as most markets rely on organic spices which are classified as basil, ginger, garlic, cinnamon, pepper, clove, and cardamom. Most of these are farmed by locals in Zanzibar.
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