Ethiopia Ships Fresh Produce to Europe for the First Time, Opening New Markets











Ethiopia has marked a new chapter in its agricultural sector by sending its first refrigerated shipment of fruits and vegetables to Europe, as announced by the Ministry of Agriculture.

Ethio Vegfru, a private export-import company, has initiated shipments of Sugar Snap and Mangetout vegetables to the Netherlands. The launch event was attended by Agriculture State Minister Sofia Kasa.

With a climate well-suited for year-round cultivation, Ethiopia has the potential to produce a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, including mangoes, grapes, and oranges.

During the launch, Tsegaye Abebe, Managing Director and Founder of Ethio Vegfru, highlighted that 12 tons of Sugar Snap and Mangetout will be transported to Djibouti in a refrigerated container with advanced technology. This fresh produce, packed at Koka, is set to reach the Netherlands within 23 days via the Ethio-Djibouti transport corridor.

This shipment represents a significant step in establishing a reliable cold chain for exporting perishable items like fruits and vegetables via the Port of Djibouti, facilitating sea freight options.

Tsegaye noted that Ethiopia has yet to fully harness its potential in fruit and vegetable production. He emphasized the importance of large-scale production and expanding export markets, along with further investment in the sector.

According to Tsegaye, using sea transport for exporting vegetables marks a crucial development in Ethiopia’s bid to penetrate international markets. He urged for continued efforts to expand product availability and market reach.

Acknowledging the reduced availability of certain European market destinations due to environmental concerns, Tsegaye commended Ethiopia’s step forward in shipping vegetables using modern refrigerated containers, which helps maintain product quality and supports sustainable exports.