Ethiopia fresh fruit and vegetables

Ethiopia has a favourable climate for growing fresh fruit and vegetables (FFV). The country has rich soils, many river basins, and large areas of land that can support high quality production. Its climate supports year-round production. But Ethiopia’s FFV exports are still small. Most fresh produce is sold on the local market. For the little that is exported, the country depends on air freight. This makes exports expensive and limits growth.

Through the Netherlands’ Invest International, Ethiopia now invests in new infrastructure. A national perishable logistics centre, known as Cool Port Addis, is under construction to connect farms to the port of Djibouti. These developments create a major opportunity for Ethiopia and Dutch and European buyers to shift from air freight to sea freight.

CBI partners with 13 small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) that grow avocados, green beans, blueberries, and snow peas. The SMEs improve their production, meet international standards, and build relationships with buyers in the Netherlands, Europe and the Gulf region. We collaborate with the Ethiopian Horticulture Producers and Exporters Association (EPHEA) and the Ethiopian Agricultural Authority (EAA). The aim is to strengthen services such as phytosanitary controls and good agricultural practices.

Are you a buyer, importer, logistics partner or investor interested in the future of Ethiopian fresh fruit and vegetables? We invite you to connect with us.

Project purpose 

Ethiopia has the natural conditions to become a strong exporter of fresh fruit and vegetables, but still faces several challenges to compete internationally.

There is a strong opportunity for Ethiopian farms to increase their yields by adopting modern agricultural practices. By upgrading post-harvest processes, such as grading, packaging, and cooling, producers can extend product shelf life and confidently meet international market standards.

Logistics are also evolving. While most exports currently rely on air freight, the sector is preparing to shift to sea freight. This transition will lower costs, increase sustainability, and allow for much larger export volumes. Although the new Cool Port Addis is still under construction, Ethiopian SMEs are already building the logistics expertise needed to make the most of this future infrastructure.

In the longer term, improved logistics connections through the Northern Corridor, supported under the European Union’s Global Gateway strategy, could strengthen Ethiopia’s access to regional ports and international markets. This would further enhance opportunities for competitive and sustainable sea freight exports.

Meeting the strict traceability and certification standards of the European market is a critical priority for Ethiopian SMEs. While companies actively work to upgrade their processes, they also navigate local infrastructure challenges and visa restrictions to connect with international buyers.

To ensure steady export growth amidst current shipping disruptions in the Red Sea, exporters are strategically adapting. The CBI project is currently supporting SMEs to expand into the Gulf region first. With its rapidly growing demand for avocados and other fresh produce, the Gulf offers an excellent and accessible market for Ethiopian businesses to build their international export experience.

CBI’s project follows 3 pathways: 

1. Collaborate with SMEs in improving their production, grading, packaging, and certification. This includes coaching on Good Agricultural Practices, Export Marketing Plans, and company level improvements
2. Strengthening the enabling environment through Ethiopia GAP, phytosanitary services, and sector coordination
3. Preparing the sector for sea freight. This includes creating Standard Operating Procedures, support with pilot shipments, consolidation models, and cooperation with logistics partners such as Flying Swans, to align with broader investments under the EU Global Gateway initiative.

Through these pathways, Ethiopian SMEs are building reliable, sustainable, and competitive export lines to the Gulf region, Europe, and the Netherlands.

Partners

To strengthen the sector, we work closely with the Ethiopian Horticulture Producers and Exporters Association (EHPEA). We also partner with Flying Swans and the Ethiopian Agricultural Authority (EAA).

 Contact CBI to find out more or contact these exporters.

Become a partner

This project is nearing its end in December 2026. If you are interested in the future of this sector in Ethiopia, we welcome you to reach out and explore possible collaborations.

Collaborate with us

Would you like to help build a more competitive and sustainable fruit and vegetable sector in Ethiopia? One that uses sea freight, meets international standards, and creates new opportunities for rural producers?

Click the button below to express your interest. For questions or more information, please contact Anne Marie Roorda. We would appreciate to hear from you.

Reach out now

About CBI

CBI promotes sustainable production and trade between low-and middle-income countries and the Netherlands and Europe. We partner with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and their ecosystem to strengthen their social and environmental sustainability.

CBI is part of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency and commissioned by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs.