Tanzania has emerged as Africa’s top exporter of pulses by volume, shipping 590,399 tonnes in 2024—up from 447,943 tonnes in 2023—and ranking eighth globally. However, it lags behind Egypt in export earnings.

Despite exporting less—411,365 tonnes—Egypt earned $491.4 million, over $100 million more than Tanzania’s $376.9 million. The gap is largely due to Egypt’s focus on high-value common beans, which brought in over $300 million this year.

Tanzania’s pulse exports, driven mainly by pigeon peas and chickpeas, have grown steadily. In 2024, pigeon pea exports soared to 341,126 tonnes from 188,405 tonnes the year before.

Interestingly, while Tanzania ranks only fourth in Africa for pulse production, it leads the continent in exports, according to the International Trade Centre. Globally, it ranks twelfth in production but eighth in exports.

In Tanzania’s agricultural export earnings, pulses placed third after horticulture and tobacco—earning $392 million in 2024. Despite limited support, the pulse sector continues to thrive and expand its global footprint.