Arabfields, Ngab Niyonzima, special correspondent — Tanzania’s coffee industry is heading toward another milestone as authorities and growers prepare for what could become one of the country’s strongest harvests in recent years. Backed by irrigation projects, renewed investment and expanding cultivation areas, the East African nation is aiming to strengthen its position among Africa’s leading coffee producers.
Government estimates and industry data released in 2026 indicate that national coffee production could move beyond 100,000 tons during the 2026/2027 season, compared with roughly 84,000 tons recorded only two years earlier. Officials from the Tanzania Coffee Board say the sector’s momentum is being driven by better farming techniques, improved seedlings and stronger support for growers in major producing regions such as Mbeya, Songwe and Kagera.
In several rural districts, farmers are already seeing the impact of new irrigation systems introduced after years of irregular rainfall. In Mbozi, coffee grower Elias Mwakyusa said many producers used to lose part of their crop during dry months, but access to water infrastructure has started to stabilize yields.
“Before, we depended completely on seasonal rains,” he explained while sorting freshly harvested beans outside his home. “Now farmers are more confident about planting larger fields because water is available for longer periods.”
The Tanzania Coffee Board confirmed that dozens of irrigation projects and water wells are being developed across production zones. Authorities believe these investments could significantly reduce climate-related losses over the next few seasons.
The coffee sector remains strategically important for Tanzania’s economy. Millions of people depend directly or indirectly on the industry through farming, transport, processing and exports. Higher international coffee prices in 2025 and early 2026 also encouraged producers to expand cultivation and reinvest in plantations.
According to international market analysts, global coffee production is expected to hit record levels during the 2026/2027 season as demand continues rising in Asia, the Middle East and parts of Africa. Tanzanian exporters are hoping to benefit from that trend, especially in premium arabica markets where East African beans remain highly valued.
Agricultural economists say Tanzania still has room for rapid expansion if infrastructure and financing improve. The government has already announced a long-term objective of reaching nearly 300,000 tons of coffee production by 2030, a target that would transform the country into one of the continent’s dominant suppliers.
For now, industry observers expect moderate but steady growth over the next three years. Forecasts for 2027 and 2028 suggest continued increases in cultivated land, stronger export revenues and greater private-sector involvement in processing activities. Analysts also predict that climate adaptation programs, especially irrigation and disease-resistant seedlings, will become central to maintaining productivity as weather conditions become less predictable across East Africa.
Despite the optimism, challenges remain. Rising fertilizer costs, transport expenses and climate volatility continue to pressure small farmers. Yet many growers say the current outlook is more encouraging than it has been in years.
In the hills surrounding Mbeya, where coffee trees stretch across green slopes, farmers are preparing for another harvest with cautious confidence, hoping that the latest investments will finally deliver long-term stability to one of Tanzania’s most valuable agricultural industries.
