Addis Ababa has witnessed the inauguration of Ethiopia's inaugural shipment of refrigerated fruits and vegetables to the European market, a development facilitated by Ethio Vegfru, a private entity engaged in the export and import business. The dispatch of Sugar Snap and Mangetout vegetables to the Netherlands was announced in a ceremony attended by Sofia Kasa, the Agriculture State Minister. Ethiopia's climatic conditions are conducive to the cultivation of a variety of fruits and vegetables, including mangos, grapes, and oranges, throughout the year.
During the event, Tsegaye Abebe, the Managing Director and Founder of Ethio Vegfru, revealed that 12 tons of the mentioned vegetable products are set to be transported to the port of Djibouti, utilizing a container outfitted with advanced refrigeration technology. The goods, originating from Koka, are expected to reach the Netherlands via the Ethio-Djibouti transport corridor within 23 days. This venture marks a significant step in establishing a cool logistics corridor for exporting perishable items through sea freight from the Port of Djibouti.
Tsegaye emphasized the untapped potential of Ethiopia in the domain of fruit and vegetable production and advocated for the expansion of export markets. He highlighted the importance of enhancing sector utilization and attracting further investments in fruit and vegetable production. The initiation of vegetable product shipments by sea is seen as a strategic move for Ethiopia to gain a foothold in the global market. Amidst challenges posed by environmental protection measures in European markets, Tsegaye underscored the significance of modern refrigeration containers in Ethiopia's efforts to diversify its vegetable product shipments.
Source: ENA