Tanganda’s Avocado Oil Project Records Strong First-Year Output

Tanganda Tea Company says its value-addition strategy is gaining momentum after its new avocado oil extraction plant processed nearly 2 000 tonnes of secondary-grade fruit in its first year of operation.

In its latest trading update, the country’s largest horticulture exporter revealed that the joint-venture facility handled 1 931 tonnes of fruit in 2025 — a significant turnaround from the previous year when 400 tonnes went to waste due to the absence of a market.

The company said the project has transformed produce that was previously discarded into a high-value export commodity with strong long-term revenue potential.

Management noted that preparations for the plant’s second season are underway, with regional suppliers already expressing interest. Mozambican growers are expected to contribute about 1 000 tonnes of fruit, which will further improve capacity utilisation in 2026.

With additional supply streams coming online, the plant is projected to run at a higher throughput next season.

Tanganda said the initiative reinforces Zimbabwe’s growing presence in the global avocado oil value chain while supporting income streams for local and regional farmers.

The company is also broadening its export markets as part of its long-term growth plan. After the recent trade agreement enabling Zimbabwean avocado exports to China, Tanganda has now been registered with the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC), paving the way for shipments to begin in early 2026.

According to the update, potential Chinese buyers were identified in June through a market development programme conducted with ZimTrade.

Tanganda said the diversification drive underlines its ambition to expand Zimbabwe’s horticultural export footprint through innovation, value addition and entry into premium global markets.