Ethiopia, Djibouti Agree to Scale up Fruits, Vegetable Trading

ADDIS ABABA – Ethiopia exporters agreed with Djibouti officials to increase fruits and vegetables supply to the neighboring nation, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

A delegation led by the top officials of the Ethiopian Horticulture Producers Exporters Associations (EHPEA) conducted a three-day-long working visit to Djibouti, beginning Wednesday.

During their stay, the delegation witnessed the high demand for quality fruits and vegetables in Djibouti, said the Ministry on Friday.

It also said the exporters noted, “the proximity coupled with suitable connectivity that includes Ethiopian Airlines freighter flights, and Ethio-Djibouti cool wagons have engendered untapped potential for Ethiopian growers on high ends as well as mass markets.”

Agreement

The delegation also conferred with top officials of Djibouti in the sector, including Secretary-General of the Ministry of Trade & Tourism and High official of the Djiboutian Chamber of Commerce, representatives of Fruits and vegetables Syndicate.

“The two sides underscored the need to scale up collective endeavors on logistics, harmonization and closer collaboration to effectively exploit the benefits the two countries could garner from the sector,” said the Ministry.

Djibouti is keen to import at least 2,000 tons of fruits and vegetables weekly, according to EHPEA.

The neighbouring could give an additional main outlet for relatively young Ethiopian Horticulture export trade which focuses mainly on European markets.

Next to Coffee, the sector generated second highest foreign exchange income to Ethiopia last fiscal year, bringing in $530 million revenue. EHPEA’s officials put vegetable, fruits, and herbs combined revenue share at 21 percent.

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