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Why is Tanzania importing coconuts?

Graham Watson

25th November 2017

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This BBC clip looks at the challenges facing the coconut industry in Tanzania. The country - the biggest grower of coconuts - is facing a fall in coconut production.

The causes? Disease, and the lack of replanting both of which have hit market supply - however, farmers also feel that they aren't getting the same support from the government that they used to.

As a result, the country is now having to import coconuts - although the government have started to support the sector. This story is both Microeconomics and developmental.

Tanzania is Africa's largest producer of coconuts.

Tanzania is the 77th largest export economy in the world and the 83rd most complex economy according to the Economic Complexity Index (ECI).

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Graham Watson

Graham Watson has taught Economics for over twenty years. He contributes to Tutor2U, reads voraciously and is interested in all aspects of Teaching and Learning.