NEW COLD STORAGE FACILITIES AT JULIUS NYERERE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO BOOST FRESH PRODUCE

Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries,
Dr. Charles Tizeba.

Horticultural, fish and meat exports are set for a massive boost after upgrading of cold storage facilities at Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) in Dar es Salaam. The facilities under Swissport Tanzania were inaugurated yesterday after undergoing expansion and modification to meet demands of the export business of perishable items.

Swissport Tanzania Plc Chief Executive Officer, Mr Gaudence Temu, said in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday that expansion of the exports cold storage facilities was meant to promote exports especially on perishable cargo. “The export cold-room facility has been modified whereby the new arrangement will now allow scanning /screening directly into the acceptance cold room,” Mr Temu added.

He said according to statistics last year, a total of 44.79 tonnes of vegetables , 589.13 tonnes of flowers, 1,331 tonnes of meat and 67 tonnes of fish were exported via JNIA. Mr Temu said the cold rooms have merely 300 sqm thus there was still adequate space available and well trained and skilled manpower to handle the shipments.

He said that following the completion of the import cargo terminal, the export operations will remain in the old terminal thus segregating the two terminals as required by the International Civil Aviation Organisation ( ICAO).

The Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Charles Tizeba said that as the country places emphasis on industrialised economy, there was also big potential for increased production and export of fisheries, agricultural and horticultural produce such as fish, meat, flowers and vegetables.

Mr Tizeba urged Swissport Tanzania Plc to prepare for further expansion of export facilities as the export volume was expected to double in future.

“You may think you have overcapacity today but believe me very soon you will need more export facilities. I request airline representative to start planning for freighter operations into Tanzania,” Dr Tizeba said. He however revealed that plans were underway to construct more abattoirs to increase meat exports in future.

He noted that, currently the country export small quantity of meat from Kongwa Ranch in Dodoma Region, noting that the quantity was expected to increase in future upon completion of a modern abattoir in Ruvu, Coast Region.

Dr Tizeba noted that about 4,000 cattle per day would be slaughtered at Ruvu abattoir once it is completed. He observed that the construction of import cargo terminal was due to lack of space at the old facility because it handles more imports than exports.

“The trade imbalance has also impacted airlines and freighters as they bring cargo and leave with empty bellies. We are all duty bound to look at both macro and micro economic factors and policies to support the aviation industry with aligned strategies and implementation,” Mr Tizeba noted.

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