The project, known as Cool Port Addis, is designed to facilitate the export of horticultural crops from Ethiopia in a cooled state to the port of Rotterdam
The Ethiopian government has signed an agreement with Invest International, which acts on behalf of the Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation of the Netherlands, to realize the first phase of a large cooling centre 70 kilometres from the capital Addis Ababa. The project, known as Cool Port Addis, is designed to facilitate the export of horticultural crops from Ethiopia in a cooled state to the port of Rotterdam and other market destinations in the ensuing years.
The initiative enhances the sustainability of the supply chain, providing Ethiopian farmers with the chance to broaden their market reach. Presently, exports heavily rely on trucks and aircraft, but the project aims to shift towards more eco-friendly modes such as rail and shipping. The goal is to diversify and enable fruit and vegetable-producing Ethiopian farmers to leverage the cooling facility, gaining access to a more extensive export market.
The inaugural stage of the Cool Port Addis project necessitates an investment of around $27.5 million, with Invest International contributing $11.7 million, and the Ethiopian government covering the remaining amount. The requisite contracts for constructing and operationalising the warehouse will be subject to a tendering process. Given the innovative and sustainable aspects of the Cool Port Addis initiative, Dutch companies specialising in refrigerated logistics and horticulture stand a promising chance of participating in the project’s realisation.
“The signing is an important step in the further rollout of the consortium Flying Swans, which we support with project development financing. The Cool Port Addis project will contribute to greening the supply chain in the fruit and vegetable sector, creating jobs and opening up export possibilities for Ethiopian farmers. A perfect example of Dutch Solutions for Global Challenges”, says Femke Bos, Director of Business Development, Strategy & Impact at Invest International.
