Sea freight delays slow Ethiopia fresh produce exports

ETHIOPIA – Ethiopia push to move fresh produce exports from air to sea freight is running into cost and process problems that exporters say limit wider use of sea transport.

Exporters and logistics firms say trials show fine beans and avocados can reach Europe in good condition when shipped by sea in refrigerated containers. Even so, many exporters still rely on air cargo because paperwork costs and container rules eat into savings.

Documentation fees can reach 9,000 birr per shipment, which equals about US$160. Exporters say this charge hits rail routes hardest, where margins stay thin.

European retailers drive the shift to sea freight through climate policies that cut or end air shipped produce. Ethiopian suppliers now need lower emission options to keep shelf space in key markets.

Cost and container rules

Importing empty refrigerated containers from Djibouti for inland loading brings rules that exporters say treat empty units like full imports.

Authorities require exporters to register as consignees and to lodge customs guarantees based on a set container value of about €33,000, which equals around US$36,000. Exporters say this rule slows container turnaround and adds risk for goods that spoil fast.

Soji Thomas Korah, general manager at MSC Ethiopia, links these rules to higher losses. “The current structure increases transit times and costs for reefers, raising the likelihood of spoilage,” he says.

Logistics firms add that the system discourages the return of empty containers needed to grow sea freight volumes. Delays at each step raise the chance that produce misses shipping windows.

Cold chain gaps add pressure

Exporters also point to gaps in cold chain capacity inside the country. Some packhouses manage basic handling, but no inland hub yet handles large volumes to export standards. Planned facilities at the Mojo dry port should close part of this gap, but operators expect them to open in about two years.

The lack of a clear national process for farm level container loading creates uneven inspections and clearance times. Weekly sailings from Djibouti leave little room for error. Missing one vessel can push shipments past shelf life limits.

These concerns came up at a recent meeting organised by Resilience Consultancy PLC that brought together private firms, state bodies, banks, and development partners. Participants noted gains in technical skills, including training and certification of local reefer technicians. They also said rules and approvals have not kept pace with these gains.

Industry groups now call for simpler handling of empty refrigerated containers, a clear national process for sea freight produce, and faster approval of local technical services. Exporters say these steps would help Ethiopia cut costs, reduce waste, and shift more fresh produce from air to sea without risking quality.

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