Tanzania opens market to Brazilian poultry to meet growing demand
Tanzania’s poultry market is growing rapidly, driven by rising urban demand and changing consumer preferences. To support this growth, Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA) has announced an expansion of Brazilian poultry and pork product access across the entire Tanzanian market. This move is expected to significantly increase imports and help stabilise the local supply chain.
The Tanzanian government’s approval covers imports across 14 animal-origin categories which incorporates a wide range of products including poultry and pork, heat-processed meats, fertile eggs, day-old chicks, bovine genetic material, and live breeding cattle. Logistics experts anticipate a rise in chilled and frozen product volumes passing through Dar es Salaam port and its connected cold-chain facilities.
Tanzania’s chicken imports
In 2024, Tanzania imported 8,800 tonnes of chicken meat, with roughly 70% sourced from Brazil, 20% from the US, and 4% from Turkey. ABPA president Ricardo Santin noted, “Until now, this trade was largely limited to Zanzibar. With the new market opening, imports can reach the entire Tanzanian territory, providing significant growth potential.”
Potential for increased protein consumption
Santin emphasised the substantial opportunity for growth in protein consumption, citing Tanzania’s current per capita poultry meat intake of just 2 kilograms, according to FAO estimates. “With rising incomes, urbanisation, and the modernisation of food retail, demand is set to rise sharply,” he said. “Tanzania is a promising market with a fast-growing population and heavy import reliance. Africa overall remains strategically important.”
Food security strategy
Officials describe this market expansion as part of a broader food security strategy aimed at diversifying supply sources, reducing reliance on single trade routes, and strengthening cold-chain infrastructure. The inclusion of fertile eggs and day-old chicks is expected to accelerate the growth of local hatcheries, provided feed costs and biosecurity conditions support it.
According to the Brazilian Association of Animal Protein (ABPA), these imports will complement rather than replace Tanzania’s domestic meat industry. “If authorities transparently monitor import volumes, publish hygiene inspection results, and apply standards impartially, consumers will benefit from greater choice and businesses will gain predictability. This stability encourages investment throughout the supply chain—from farm to shelf.”
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