Avocado trial opens door for Ethiopian produce exports

European importers have taken delivery of the first trial shipments of Hass avocados from Ethiopia (EUROFRUIT, 26 October). Durabilis, the international impact investment firm behind the venture, described the news as “a game-changing milestone that demonstrates the huge potential for Ethiopian produce”. The fruit was grown in the Koga region, south of Bahir Dar, and shipped via the new Ethiopia-Djibouti-Europe cool logistics corridor, being transported first by train to the Port of Djibouti, then shipped to Italy and transported to the UK by truck. Durabilis works with smallholder growers in conjunction with its local subsidiary, Koga Veg Agricultural Development, a COLEACP partner.