Launch of the Tanzania Spices Label

Tanzanian Spices Secure their Spot in the World Spice Market

On 9 July 2021, the Tanzania Spices Label will be officially inaugurated in conjunction with the Saba Saba International Trade Fair. The launch will be hosted by the Ministry of Industry and Trade together with Tanzania Trade Development Authority (TanTrade) and Tanzania Spices Association (TASPA), and it will take place at the Mfaume Kawawa Hall -Dome, at the Mwl. Julius Nyerere on Saba Saba Grounds in Dar es Salaam.

The Tanzania Spices Label aims at supporting the national spices industry by becoming a trademark of the country’s produce, a significant step forward for marketability, quality assurance and sustainability.

Spices: a fast-growing market

Growing at a fast pace, the spices industry represents an important opportunity for the agricultural sector of the United Republic of Tanzania. With a rising demand for spices in Asia, there is a real prospect for Tanzanian spices exporters to position themselves as leading suppliers of some of the world’s finest spices.

Tanzanian spices to the world

Thanks to an excellent climate and ideal soil conditions, spices are grown across the country, from Zanzibar and Pemba islands all the way to Morogoro, Tanga and Arusha. By leveraging the high quality of the country’s production and the strong agricultural system in place, Tanzania is ready to embark in this new adventure.  

This is where the label comes in, to play a critical role for the country, as it will increase Tanzania’s reputation for quality spices, ensure the sustainability of the sector, create ownership of Tanzanian spices products overseas, give competitive market advantage, regulate and standardise the sector and increase production and supply across the country. The label represents an opportunity to position Tanzanian spices in market segments, attracting specific buyers and consumers.

All farmers who take on the label are supported to adhere to set standards, namely the standards specifications of the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS), registered with ISO, as well as production standards, such as the Good Agricultural Practices (GAP).

According to Kibula and Mohamed Bakari, two brothers and spice producers from Tanga, the label creates an opportunity for their produce to stand out in the market and obtain better prices.

Shared Nassib Omari, a producer of spices and essential oils from Zanzibar, is also enthusiastic about the initiative. '30 years ago, spices like cinnamon weren’t as common among farmers. Now a lot of people have woken up and are motivated, particularly with the help of organisations such as TASPA (Tanzania Spices Association).'

About the label

The spices label was created by Tanzania’s government through TanTrade and the private sector represented by TASPA.  

The initiative is supported by the International Trade Centre (ITC) within the framework of the Market Access Upgrade Programme (MARKUP), a regional development initiative for the East African Community (EAC) funded by the European Union (EU).