Cable Car innovation boosts banana production in Ethiopia’s Omorate region

ETHIOPIA – Fri-El Ethiopia Farming and Processing PLC is changing how bananas are grown and harvested in Ethiopia’s Omorate region.

The company, owned by Italian investors, has taken bold steps to improve productivity while supporting local communities.

Since launching in 2007, Fri-El has developed around 3,000 hectares of fertile land out of the 10,000 hectares it holds in Omorate. The company currently grows bananas on 1,400 hectares and has introduced cable car technology to transport the fruit.

This 20-kilometer system moves bananas directly from the field to processing centers, saving time and reducing damage.

“The cable car system lets us move bananas faster and more safely,” said one of the field supervisors. “It also means we can get the fruit to market while it’s still fresh, which helps meet both local and export needs.”

A model of productivity and job creation

Fri-El exports 200 tons of bananas to Dubai every week. It also supplies the domestic market, helping meet demand while bringing foreign exchange into the country.

The company’s investments go beyond farming. Fri-El has created over 3,000 jobs in the region, a move that has had a clear impact on livelihoods.

“The work here has changed our lives,” said a local employee at the Omorate site. “We are earning, learning, and supporting our families.”

Ethiopia’s banana production reached 1.1 million tons in 2022, although this was a drop from a high of 1.4 million tons in 2021. Experts blame the fall on input shortages and changes in rainfall.

However, projects like Fri-El’s are helping to turn things around. Ethiopia now stands among Africa’s top banana-producing nations, with countries like Nigeria, Angola, and Tanzania leading the continent’s 31-million-ton output in 2022.

Building momentum in the sector

Despite challenges, Ethiopia’s banana industry still shows promise. In 2022, the average yield was 10.1 tons per hectare, down from 15.5 the year before. Fri-El’s approach could help lift that number again.

The company’s work fits into a larger movement to grow the banana trade across Africa. Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Mozambique, and Cameroon remain key exporters, while Algeria, South Africa, and Morocco are major importers. The total value of banana consumption across the continent stood at US$130 billion in 2022.

Fri-El’s progress comes at a time when Ethiopia is looking to attract more agribusiness investment. Other developers in the region are taking note of what Fri-El has achieved.

As the company continues to expand, many hope it will inspire similar efforts elsewhere in the country.

With the right support, Ethiopia could not only increase its banana output but also become a stronger player in global markets.

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