How to buy and export coffee from Tanzania: auctions, direct export, regions and grades
Tanzania grows both arabica on the slopes of Kilimanjaro and in the southern highlands, and robusta near Lake Victoria. Most of it comes from smallholders and is sold through auctions or direct export contracts overseen by the Tanzania Coffee Board (TCB). This guide explains what Tanzania produces, how coffee is sold and what to check before you buy.
Updated November 1, 2026 · 4 sources
Tanzania coffee in numbers
The USDA forecast Tanzania's 2025/26 production at about 1.45 million 60 kg bags and exports at about 1.37 million, up from 1.35 and 1.26 million the year before. Arabica is about 61% of production and robusta about 39%. Around 320,000 smallholders grow most of the coffee on about 265,000 harvested hectares, alongside roughly 100 large estates. The European Union is the largest market, taking about 59% of exports in 2023/24, followed by Japan and the United States.
Where the coffee grows
| Area | Coffee |
|---|---|
| North: Kilimanjaro, Arusha, Tanga | Washed arabica from volcanic slopes, including Kilimanjaro and Ngorongoro-area estates |
| Southern highlands: Mbeya, Njombe and neighbouring regions | Washed arabica, much of it from smallholder groups |
| North-west: Kagera, near Lake Victoria | Robusta, mostly natural; also the base for instant coffee made in Bukoba |
The USDA puts the main harvest from July to October, with exports peaking from December to February. Check the Tanzania lots page and our harvest calendar.
How Tanzanian coffee is sold
- At the farm gate: most coffee is first sold as parchment or dry cherry to cooperatives or licensed private buyers.
- Auctions: coffee is sold at the central auction in Moshi and at government-approved online auction sites. Exporters buy there and ship under their own licence.
- Direct export: farmers, groups and estates can sell directly to overseas buyers, but the contract must be registered with the Tanzania Coffee Board.
Grades
Tanzanian arabica uses size grades similar to Kenya's, such as AA, A, B and PB (peaberry), and is also cupped and classed before sale. Robusta is sold by screen size and defect count. Our grading guide explains how size grades are measured, and the Kenya export guide describes a similar auction system next door.
Documents to expect
- Contract registration with the Tanzania Coffee Board for direct sales.
- ICO certificate of origin and phytosanitary certificate.
- Commercial invoice, packing list, weight note and bill of lading, usually from Dar es Salaam, or from Mombasa for some northern coffee.
- For the EU: plot geolocation and other information for EUDR due diligence; see the EUDR guide.
Buying tips
- Ask whether the lot was bought at auction or is a registered direct sale, and ask for the TCB registration details.
- Approve a pre-shipment sample from the actual lot and write the grade, moisture and defect limits into the contract.
- Plan around the timing: contract during or just after the harvest for shipment in the peak export months.
- Read shipping green coffee for bag sizes and container loads; Tanzanian coffee is packed in 60 kg bags.
Frequently asked questions
What coffee does Tanzania grow?
Both: about 61% arabica, mainly from Kilimanjaro, Arusha and the southern highlands, and about 39% robusta, mainly from Kagera near Lake Victoria.
Where is Tanzania's coffee auction?
The central coffee auction is in Moshi, near Kilimanjaro, and there are also government-approved online auction sites.
Can I buy Tanzanian coffee directly from farmers?
Yes. Direct export is allowed, but the sales contract must be registered with the Tanzania Coffee Board.
When is the Tanzanian coffee harvest?
The main harvest runs roughly from July to October, and exports peak from December to February.
Sources
- USDA Foreign Agricultural Service: Tanzania Coffee Annual (TZ2024-0002) ↗
- Daily Coffee News: Tanzania coffee report, production rising as old farms get new life (1 July 2024) ↗
- Qahwa World: Tanzania projects 1.45 million coffee bags in 2025/26 (on the USDA Coffee Annual, May 2025) ↗
- ICO: Rules on statistics, certificates of origin (ICC-102-9 Rev. 5) ↗
Checked on November 1, 2026. Laws, rules and prices change: always check the official source before you trade. This guide is general information, not legal advice.