Competitiveness analysis of Tanzanian agricultural exports: Trends and challenges

Although Tanzania's agricultural sector contributes over 26% of GDP and employs about 60% of the workforce, it is crucially important for the country's economy but struggles in foreign markets.Analyzing important exports including coffee, tea, cashew nuts, and sisal using Michael Porter's Diamond Model and a mixed-methods approach, this paper assesses Tanzania's agricultural trade competitiveness.Results show a competitive advantage (RCA > 1) in food, live animals, and raw materials; yet, low value addition, post-harvest losses, inadequate infrastructure, and strict international standards cause shortcomings even in these areas.Despite these obstacles, regional trade agreements (EAC, SADC), agro-processing investments, digital agriculture, and market diversiication create potential.While pointing up hazards like climate change and trade restrictions.To improve competitiveness, recommendations call for infrastructure development, value addition, trade facilitation, technology adoption, and closer worldwide alliances.Deeper integration into world markets and sustainable economic development could be achieved by addressing these sectors, therefore releasing Tanzania's agricultural potential.