Tanzania's Forestry Exports Skyrocket 334% in Four Years

DODOMA: TANZANIA’S forestry exports jumped more than fourfold over the last four years as the government pushed for more domestic processing of timber and honey. Shipments of forest products rose to 458.5bn/- in the 2024/25 fiscal year from 105bn/- in 2020/21, a 334 per cent surge, according to Natural Resources and Tourism Minister Ashatu Kijaji. The sector, which includes beekeeping and antiquities, now accounts for about 3.5 per cent of the nation’s gross domestic product, said the minister when she opened a stakeholders’ meeting for the forestry, beekeeping and antiquities sectors in Dodoma yesterday. The surge signals a shift in government economic strategy toward value-addition to boost foreign exchange earnings and create industrial jobs. She said timber production from government plantations rose to 1.26 million cubic metres in 2024/25, up from 1.1 million cubic metres in 2020/21, supported by improved investment conditions and sustainable forest management. Dr Kijaji noted that the number of medium and large value-addition factories has increased significantly, from 636 in 2020 to 1,671 in 2025, citing improved raw material availability and growing investor confidence. In the beekeeping subsector, honey exports more than doubled to 1,713 tonnes worth 18.6bn/- in 2025, compared to 607 tonnes valued at 4.8bn/- in 2021. She attributed the gains to the government under President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s drive to promote commercial tree planting, modern beekeeping practices and land restoration, adding that research driven interventions have expanded raw material supply, strengthened processing capacity and created employment. “The ministry, through its research institutions, continues to conduct studies aimed at addressing challenges in forestry and beekeeping. These efforts have increased raw material availability, supported value addition and expanded employment opportunities,” she said. ALSO READ: Government earns 62.9bn/- from booming forestry sector Dr Kijaji said the government has developed 235 forest management plans, 24 plantation management plans and 259 beekeeping farm plans to enhance conservation and commercial utilisation. These efforts are complemented by national initiatives such as the oneand-a-half million trees per council per year campaign, the Tanzania Green Programme and the restoration of 5.2 million hectares under the AFR100 initiative. On antiquities, she said 25 new heritage sites have been identified for tourism development, with 15 sites meeting the requirements for National Heritage status in 2024/25. Reforms in the sector have also enabled the establishment of nine private museums. Dr Kijaji urged stakeholders to work closely with the government, emphasising that sustainable conservation and economic growth depend on strong partnerships among the public sector, private investors, communities and civil society