Ethiopia has launched its first shipment of refrigerated fruits and vegetables to the European market, marking a significant milestone in the country'
Ethiopia has launched its first shipment of refrigerated fruits and vegetables to the European market, marking a significant milestone in the country’s agricultural export sector.
Ethio Vegfru, a private export and import company, initiated the export of 12 tons of Sugar Snap and Mangetout vegetables to the Netherlands. The shipment was celebrated in the presence of Ethiopia’s Agriculture State Minister, Sofia Kasa.
The shipment is transported via a refrigerated container using advanced cooling technology to maintain freshness during the journey. The produce, loaded in Koka, will travel through the Ethio-Djibouti transport corridor, taking approximately 23 days to reach the European market by sea freight via the Port of Djibouti.
Cool logistics corridor
This initiative is part of Ethiopia’s efforts to develop a cool logistics corridor for perishable exports, leveraging the country’s favorable climate for year-round cultivation of fruits and vegetables like mangoes, grapes, and oranges.
The project aims to unlock Ethiopia’s vast potential in fruit and vegetable production, encouraging large-scale cultivation and increased market penetration globally. Tsegaye Abebe, Managing Director of Ethio Vegfru, emphasized the importance of expanding Ethiopia’s agricultural exports and diversifying its market reach. He highlighted the shift toward using sea freight with refrigeration as a sustainable and competitive export strategy.
He called for enhanced investments and efforts to scale up production and tap into new international markets, especially as European countries emphasize environmental sustainability in their import choices.
This milestone positions Ethiopia as a promising player in the global fruits and vegetables market, with opportunities to grow its agricultural export footprint through innovative logistics and production practices.