Ethiopian park signs avocado processing deal with diaspora investor

The Sidama Industrial Parks Development Corporation has signed an investment agreement with Basilea Trading One Member PLC to establish an avocado-processing facility at the Yirgalem Integrated Agro-Industrial Park. The project, led by diaspora investor Bekalu Getahun, has completed its preparatory requirements and entered the implementation phase. Once operational, the facility is expected to process up to 150 tonnes of raw avocados per day, with plans to export up to six containers of processed products to international markets each month.

Avocado processing converts raw fruit into products with longer shelf life and higher value, such as pulp, refined oil for cooking and cosmetics, and animal feed from by-products. This value-addition model captures more value from the fruit and reduces waste. The project's viability hinges on securing raw materials through agreements with local growers, potentially requiring aggregation through cooperatives or contract farming to ensure consistent daily volumes.

The facility adds an anchor tenant to Yirgalem Park, potentially attracting related investment in cold storage, packaging, and transport infrastructure. The corporation plans further expansion into refined avocado oil, cosmetics, and animal feed production. The employment impact spans permanent roles in processing and logistics, and temporary positions during harvest seasons.

Why it mattersEthiopian avocado growers will be affected by the need to supply consistent volumes of raw avocados to the new processing plant.

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