Ethiopian fruits and vegetables exporters supported by CBI to shift to sea-freight
The Netherlands Centre for the Promotion of Imports from developing countries (CBI) is an Agency of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands. It was established in 1971 with an objective to contribute to a sustainable and inclusive economic development in developing countries. This is done by strengthening the economic, social and environmental sustainability of local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through the expansion of exports of value-added products to European and regional markets.
CBI launched a new project in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
On July 13, 2023, CBI launched a new project called ‘Transitioning Ethiopian horticulture to a Sustainable Export Alternative’ (To SEA) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Among the participants were the Ethiopian Agricultural Authority, the private sector and developmental partners from the agricultural and logistics sector. The objective of the project is supporting the transition to a more productive and sustainable sea freight oriented fresh fruit and vegetables (F&V) export in Ethiopia.
The project aims to support the Ethiopian horticulture sector in growing the export of fruits and vegetables (F&V) by strengthening the service and increasing the sustainability and competitiveness in the area of reefer transport, combined shipments and certification enhancing the regulatory capabilities of the sector in the country. The project will support 13 Ethiopian F&V companies with technical support, business linkages and pilot export shipments. The export markets identified by supporting the Ethiopian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as most promising are the EU, Gulf region and other countries in the Middle East.
The Ethiopian Horticulture Producers and Exporters Association (EHPEA), a key partner in this project, is also supporting the shift to sea-freight and sees it as a crucial priority for the growth and sustainability for Ethiopian horticulture exports. It was also commented that even though Ethiopia has fruit and vegetables which have potential in the European market, there are still quite some steps necessary to develop a viable export market in the country where CBI can step in and provide assistance in addressing the obstacles and growing Ethiopian exports.
CBI and the Ethiopian Agricultural Authority (EAA) signed MOU
The Netherlands Centre for the Promotion of Imports (CBI) and Ethiopian Agricultural Authority (EAA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate in the field of phytosanitary services, agro-logistics and quality inputs to boost the country’s competitiveness of agricultural products in the international market. Ms. Afke van der Woude, representative of CBI, explained that the project will help build a sector collaboration platform to create a more export-enabling environment for sea freight.
The Agricultural Counsellor at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ethiopia, Mr. Meeuwes Brouwer, emphasised on the longstanding collaboration between the Netherlands and Ethiopia in the field of horticulture in his opening speech during the ceremony.
Furthermore, CBI will collaborate with other relevant partners/programs such as the Dutch Flying Swans consortium, to work on effective service delivery for sea-freight exports during the project period.