Tanzania asks trade agency to identify cold-chain investments for produce exports

Thursday 12th November 2026

By inAfrika Newsroom

Tanzania’s trade promotion agency has been asked to identify investment opportunities in refrigerated storage and transport for agricultural exports. Deputy Permanent Secretary Aristides Mbuasi disclosed the directive during a 7 November visit to Swissport’s cargo facility at Kilimanjaro International Airport.

Mbuasi said TanTrade would work with the Tanzania Horticultural Association and other institutions to identify projects linking farms with collection points, processors and airports, The Citizen reported. Agriculture ministry official Mpita Msofe said refrigerated vehicles and storage between farms and airports were needed to keep perishable goods in saleable condition.

Swissport says its operating facility has four chillers and a freezer, with room for about 180 tonnes of cargo at a time. It is designed to handle up to 13,000 tonnes a year. The airport facility replaced an older cargo unit that had served exporters since 1998.

The call for refrigerated transport and storage comes as Tanzania seeks access to 14 additional horticultural export markets. The officials’ remarks identified areas for investment, with individual projects still to be identified.

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