Tanzania plans to double sunflower production and develop oil exports

Tanzania plans to more than double sunflower seed production by 2030 and develop exports of sunflower oil. Under the government’s Agenda 10/30 program, sunflower seed production is expected to increase from a baseline of 504 thsd tons to 1.16 mln tons, with the additional supply supporting the expansion of the domestic processing industry.

Most of the increase is expected to come from higher yields, which are targeted to rise from 1.05 t/ha to 2.25 t/ha by 2030. Sunflower planted area is also expected to expand from around 482 thsd ha to 516 thsd ha. The government plans to achieve this through wider use of hybrid seeds, increased fertilizer application, improved farming technologies and bringing additional land into production.

Additional sunflower seed supplies are expected to be primarily directed to domestic processing. The government expects the sector’s development to reduce Tanzania’s dependence on edible oil imports, create new jobs and at the same time build export potential for sunflower oil and processing by-products.

The authorities are also tightening quality requirements for locally produced edible oils. New food fortification guidelines were introduced in 2026, while small-scale sunflower processors are receiving equipment and inputs to fortify oil with Vitamin A. The Tanzania Sunflower Processors Association expects higher quality standards to improve the competitiveness of locally produced sunflower oil in both domestic and export markets.

Tanzania is therefore seeking to gradually transform its sunflower sector from primarily a source of edible oil for domestic consumption into a more developed processing and export-oriented industry. The government program identifies the central regions of Dodoma, Singida and Manyara as having particularly strong potential for further expansion of sunflower production.

Tags: sunflower oil, sunseed