Tanzania targets Russian banana market with investment backing as Ecuador dominates imports
According to the FAO, the country’s banana harvest amounted to 3.26 million tonnes in 2024.
TANZANIA – Tanzania is strategically expanding its agricultural trade by targeting the Russian market for its banana industry, utilizing Russian financial investment and technical support to boost production and capture a share of the billion-dollar sector.
Agriculture contributes 23% to Tanzania’s GDP and employs approximately 65% of the working population. As part of its strategy to diversify trade opportunities, Dodoma aims to strengthen cooperation with Russia, particularly through the banana sector.
According to local media outlet Tanzania Insight, President Samia Hassan confirmed to Russian media during her state visit that Russian investments in Tanzanian agriculture have already materialized, with technical and financial support aimed at increasing banana production for regular exports to the Russian market.
With Russian investment, Tanzania could further increase production capacity, already making it the second-largest producer of the fruit in East Africa after Uganda and the leading exporter in the sub-region.
According to the FAO, the country’s banana harvest amounted to 3.26 million tonnes in 2024. Exports have averaged nearly 9,800 tonnes per year over the last five years, with a peak of 14,685 tonnes in 2024. However, no exports to Russia have been recorded yet.
Over the past five years, Russia has imported an average of nearly 1.46 million tons of bananas annually, making it the world’s third-largest importer after the United States and China. The cost associated with these purchases averaged US$827 million per year over the same period, peaking at US$1.07 billion in 2021.
In this market, Ecuador is the leading banana supplier, accounting for approximately 98% of Russia’s annual purchases. Tanzanian producers will therefore face competition not only from the Ecuadorian monopoly but also from established smaller suppliers such as China, Costa Rica, and the Philippines.
Furthermore, while Russia represents a developing strategic market, the Tanzanian banana sector is part of a broader commercial expansion. For instance, on June 13, 2026, authorities announced the opening of the South African market to fresh Tanzanian bananas following an agreement on phytosanitary standards.
In 2025, Tanzania generated US$3.05 million in revenue from banana exports to international markets, with almost all of it destined for Zambia, according to Trade Map.
Lastly, strengthened bilateral cooperation with Russia and new agreements with South Africa position the country for expanded market access beyond its traditional trade partners.
Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.
