Buy Tanzania Squash Directly From Exporters & Suppliers - Best of 2024 Market Prices

We provide high-quality Tanzania squash to the local and export markets. We source the raw fresh Tanzania squash from family growers in Tanzania.

Tanzania squash (Cucurbitaceae genus) is a set of vegetables that bear mostly large thick-skinned fruits on creeping vines. There are at least four species, which some call pumpkins or gourds. They include Cucurbita pepo, Cucurbita maxima, Zucchini, and Cucurbita moschata. Each of these plants consists of high nutrition and often treats gastronomic issues due to the presence of antioxidants.

1. Pepo

From its native North American sources, C. pepo has been domesticated for 4500 years. Its features include a large-sized ribbed gourd that may remain green even past its maturity.  Its other names, especially in Australia are winter squash or true squash.

We source this member of Tanzania squash from Arusha and Lake Victoria regions. In these parts, family growers cultivate C. pepo in combination with other pumpkins on a rotational basis of two to three years before substituting with other crops. The locals grow it mainly for subsistence, especially for its high antioxidant activity.

1. Maxima

Among all classes of squash, perhaps this is the true pumpkin. People call it gourd or pumpkin.  It first grew in South America thousands of years ago as wild squash but its first record as a domesticated species was around 1 A.D.  Probably the most common gourd plant around the globe, this Tanzania squashes’ member appears yellow in its tough rind when ripe.  When it is still young, the plant shoots bush-like, and at this time the leaves serve as vegetables. Tough vines with feathery fibers develop as the plant matures and bear large gourds.

We source C. maxima squashes from family growers in Arusha and Tarime. In the latter area which is in Mara district on the border crossing with Kenya, farmers grow it mainly for its nutritious leaves. The harvest goes both ways: south into local resale and north to Kenya.

Zucchini (C. pepo var. cylandrica)

Also going by the names courgette, marrow or summer squash, this Tanzania squash is a member of the C. pepo group.  Its fruit is oblong in shape and measures about 15 centimeters long when harvested immature. The maximum growing size for the fruit is 1 meter, but by then it will have hardened and lost its tender texture.  It first grew in both continental Americas thousands of years ago at unknown dates. The first recorded cultivation of zucchini was in the climate of northern Italy in the middle of the 19th century. Its arrival there was courtesy of European explorers who brought it with them in the 17th century.

We source zucchini from northern Tanzania. Farmers cultivate the crop under irrigation for mainly its fruit.

1. Moschata

Butternut squash, a member of the large C. moschata group is another major Tanzania squash that is grown mainly for its fruit.  The plant reaches 2 feet in height with a vine length of 5 meters on climbing support in just a few weeks. The luxurious growth also spurs the development of its elongated gourd. Like zucchini, the fruit is lengthy rather than round while its color is a mixture of yellow and brown.  Its cut section displays yellow innards with spare seeds in a ring on each side.

We source butternut squash from Arusha and Mara districts. Our family growers cultivate it in the furrowed land. They keep their little plots of land free of chemical sprays but lush in farmyard manure.

Harvesting

We harvest all four members of Tanzania squash in the same way. We start with the tender leaves for resell in local supermarkets in raw or dried, powder form. We harvest the fruits when the plant has reached maturity at two months after planting. Our well-trained farmhands use sharp knives to cut the tough stems attaching to the gourds a few centimeters from the fruit. We keep them in plastic bags ready to cart away to the packing shed.

Packing

Our packing process for Tanzania squash starts immediately after the harvest is over to keep the produce fresh. C. pepo fruits take longer to mature and thus require grading parameters of size, weight, and firmness before packing.  All fruits in this species then go into one 1/9th bushel size produce boxes. Courgette, on the other hand, requires pre-packing grading by such aspects as healthy exterior and size. This fruit type needs half bushel size boxes to pack comfortably. We reduce damage by horizontally laying it with the stalk side facing the carton wall. We label each box with the details of cultivar, size, the net weight and the country of origin.

We store Tanzania squash in a cool, dry environment away from direct sun. We maintain a uniform temperature of 10 degrees Celsius for all varieties. The pumpkins also keep well at a relative humidity of 50 to 75 percent.

We transport Tanzania squash in custom vehicles fitted with modified environment equipment. They have pads that soak in friction from the gourds to reduce damage. Our shipment departs from the port of Dar-es-Salaam on the same day of packing.

Indeed, nothing beats Tanzania squash from the northern regions in variety and taste. Whether it is the leaves or pumpkins you need, we have got both in the right quantity year-round. Our supplies come from Global Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)-certified farmers, itself enough evidence of fresh quality. Besides, our prices are quite appealing. You can, therefore, start by making an order today!