South Ethiopia Regional State is gearing up to export banana products to the Middle East, announced Haliemariam Tesfaye, Head of the State’s Agricultural Bureau. Preparations are underway to supply bananas to Middle Eastern markets while also expanding exports to neighboring countries such as Sudan, Somalia, and Djibouti.

The State’s favorable climate supports extensive banana cultivation, with 113,000 hectares currently under production. In the past five months alone, 15.8 million quintals of bananas were harvested, with the annual target set at 35 million quintals.

To enhance productivity and meet market standards, the state is distributing high-quality banana seedlings, enabling model farmers to yield up to 500 quintals per hectare in investment fields. Organic, export-grade bananas are cultivated across all 12 zones, with Gamo, Wolayta, and South Omo zones leading in banana coverage.

This initiative bolsters job creation, income, and food security. Ethiopia began exporting banana in 1961.

Source: The Ethiopian Herald