The international conference on oilseeds, pulses and spices held in Ethiopia boosted exports and increased revenue.
The conference held in March was attended by many international delegates and has resulted in enhanced market links with buyers and brokers according to experts in the sector.
The price of sesame which was 1350 birr a quintal before the conference increased to 1,550 just two weeks after the conference they noted.
The conference offered an opportunity to display the quality of Ethiopian products to a range of buyers and brokers and in the two and a half months since 115,000 tons of oilseeds has been exported claimed Haile Berhe, President of the Ethiopian Pulses, Oilseeds and Spices Processors and Exporters Association.A similar growth has been seen in the export of spices as well.
Ethiopia raised 330.8 million US dollars from the export of 258,000 tons of oilseeds in just the first nine months of the financial year. The country had earned 327 million US dollars from the export of oilseeds last financial year.
The oilseeds and spices sub sectors have already managed to meet 80 and 90 percent of the targets set for the budget year according to Kebede Chane, Trade Minister. There was however a decline seen in the demand for pulses on the international market during this period.
In related news the EPOSPEA awarded eighteen exporters from the three sub sectors for good performance in the last year.
Source: Capital
