Market
Dried desi chickpea in Tanzania is produced mainly as a post-rainy season (residual-moisture) pulse crop in Lake, Western and Northern zones and is consumed domestically with a strong export surplus. UN Comtrade data (via WITS) indicates Tanzania exported HS 071320 dried chickpeas worth about USD 76.3 million (≈136.2 million kg) in 2023, predominantly to India.
Market RoleMajor producer and exporter
Domestic RolePost-rainy season pulse crop for domestic consumption and export surplus
Risks
Sps Documentation HighPhytosanitary documentation mismatch can cause shipment delays or rejection: Tanzania’s NPPO (TPHPA) introduced a new phytosanitary certificate format effective 27 January 2025, creating a verification risk if counterparties expect the updated format.Confirm the latest certificate format with TPHPA/IPPC records before shipment and ensure importers/buyers can verify authenticity (including via ePhyto where applicable).
Phytosanitary Pests Diseases MediumProduction and storage risks include pests and diseases reported for Tanzania chickpea such as fusarium wilt, collar rot, pod borer and bruchids, which can reduce availability and/or cause quality defects that trigger buyer claims or treatment requirements.Contract for pre-export cleaning/sorting and require supplier-side pest management and storage controls; align treatment expectations with buyer SPS requirements.
Import Compliance MediumFor imports of dried chickpeas into Tanzania, non-compliance with plant health import requirements (permit, original phytosanitary certificate, cleanliness and packaging restrictions) can lead to detention and enforcement actions (including return-to-sender or destruction for prohibited/non-compliant consignments).Obtain TPHPA import permit in advance and run a pre-shipment document/packaging checklist against Plant Health Regulations (2023) requirements.
Logistics MediumOcean freight volatility and route disruptions can increase transit time and landed cost for containerized bulk agri-commodities, weakening export competitiveness and buyer margin tolerance (risk context supported by UNCTAD maritime transport reporting).Lock bookings early, build schedule buffer, and use landed-cost clauses or freight adjustment mechanisms for longer lead-time contracts.
FAQ
Which regions are major chickpea growing areas in Tanzania?ICRISAT identifies the main chickpea growing areas as the Lake Zone (Shinyanga, Mwanza, Mara, Kagera), Western Zone (Tabora, Kigoma) and Northern Zone (Arusha, Manyara).
Which chickpea varieties are specifically referenced for Tanzania, including desi types?ICRISAT reports four varieties released in Tanzania in 2011: Ukiriguru 1 (Desi), Mwanza 1 (Desi), Mwangaza (Kabuli) and Mwanza 2 (Kabuli), released via Ukiriguru Agricultural Research Institute in the Lake Zone.
Where do Tanzania’s dried chickpea exports mainly go?UN Comtrade data accessed via WITS shows that, for HS 071320 in 2023, India was the dominant destination for Tanzania’s dried chickpea exports, with Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates as smaller destinations.
What documents are required to import dried chickpeas (plant products) into Tanzania?Tanzania’s plant health framework requires an import permit issued by the Authority and an original phytosanitary certificate for plant products, alongside shipping documents; the Plant Health Regulations (2023) also set cleanliness and packaging conditions for consignments.