Tanzania Pulses Weekly Crop & Market Update

Overview Harvest activity is gradually gaining momentum across Tanzania as the 2026 pulses season enters its early commercial phase. Chickpea harvesting has expanded in parts of Mwanza and Singida Regions, while pigeon pea marketing continues in Simiyu through the warehouse receipt system. Although marketed volumes remain limited, buying activity has intensified, with local agents actively purchasing from farmers ahead of wider market arrivals. Farm-gate prices remain firm, supported by tight early-season supplies. More substantial harvest volumes are expected from August, with peak arrivals anticipated during September for both chickpeas and pigeon peas. Chickpeas Kwimba District (Mwanza Region) Harvesting continues to expand, with approximately 10% of the crop now harvested. Farmers in Kikubiji, Fukalo, Ilula, Mwamala, Bupamwa, Mhande and Shilembo villages have started bringing produce to the market. Commercial auction trading has not yet commenced because harvested volumes remain relatively small. Officials from the Cereals and Other Produce Regulatory Authority (COPRA) are expected to begin inspecting warehouse infrastructure before auctions officially start. As of this update, no auction sales have been reported. In the meantime, local buying agents remain active, purchasing directly from farmers at TZS 800–1,000 per kilogram, depending on quality and location. Current projections indicate that Kwimba could produce approximately 35,000 metric tonnes of chickpeas this season—almost double last year's production. The increase is largely attributed to wider adoption of improved seed varieties and enhanced extension services that have supported farmers throughout the growing season. Itigi Township (Manyoni District, Singida Region) Itigi accounts for about 20% of all Chickpeas produced in Tanzania. Harvesting has also started in Itigi, one of Tanzania's major chickpea-producing areas. Although marketed volumes are still relatively small, local traders are purchasing chickpeas at approximately TZS 1,100 per kilogram, slightly above prevailing prices in Kwimba. Market arrivals are expected to increase significantly during August, while the main harvest peak is anticipated in September. Harvesting is expected to wind down during October, with only limited quantities remaining by November. Pigeon Peas Simiyu Region Simiyu remains the first major pigeon pea-producing region to enter commercial marketing. Under Tanzania's warehouse receipt system, all commercial transactions are conducted through designated warehouses and auctions. Local buying agents are currently purchasing pigeon peas from farmers at approximately TZS 1,350 per kilogram before delivering the crop to licensed warehouses. The latest auction, conducted on 22 July 2026, recorded an average selling price of approximately TZS 1,550 per kilogram. Prices remain relatively strong due to limited early-season supplies. Simiyu's pigeon pea production is estimated at around 16,000 metric tonnes, making it a relatively smaller producing region compared with Tanzania's leading production zones of Lindi, Mtwara and Ruvuma Harvest activity is expected to accelerate during August as additional regions begin harvesting. National market arrivals are projected to peak in September before gradually declining during October and November. Market Outlook • Chickpea harvests are steadily expanding, with larger commercial volumes expected from August onward. • Farm-gate prices remain firm due to limited early-season supplies. • Pigeon pea auction prices continue to strengthen amid constrained availability. • As harvests expand across southern Tanzania, increased market arrivals are expected to place downward pressure on prices during the second half of the season.