Ethiopia to export strawberries for first time

November 25, 2007 (ADDIS ABABA) — A new line of premium strawberries from Ethiopia will be made available for international market for the first time as of this coming Monday, www.freshplaza.com reported.

Ilan Tot, a private limited company established by Israeli investors in Mojo town of southeast Ethiopia’s Oromia State, will export the new agricultural output, said the website, which covers global fresh produce and banana news.

The introduction of Ethiopia as a strawberry growing region opens up possibilities for year-round availability of quickly- delivered, exceptionally sweet, high-quality fruit which, due to initiatives implemented by Ilan Tot, is being produced in a manner that will meet with the approval of socially conscious consumers, it said.

These Ethiopian-grown strawberries benefit from 1,700 meters altitude and strong sunlight concentrations to make them exceptionally sweet, with average of 10 percent sugar brix, according to the website.

Ilan Tot PLC strawberry farm is owned and managed by Ilan Eliyaho, previously one of Israel’s top strawberry growers with considerable experience supplying major supermarket chains such as Tesco with premium-range fruit.

The combination of his Israeli know-how with the consistent Ethiopian climate means the strawberries produced here are of excellent quality.

Because they are transported to Europe by air they are also delivered very fast, within 24 to 36 hours from harvesting, making them much fresher than fruit grown in other out-of-season supply countries. Fruit is picked and delivered seven days a week.

The farm created jobs for some 450 people. Some 85 percent of the workers are women.

(Xinhua)