The Sidama Regional Industrial Parks Development Corporation announced that it had earned more than USD 3.3 million from avocado oil exports in the fiscal year ending March 31. During the same period, the Yirgalem Agro-Industrial Park processed 16,000 tons of raw materials.

Hailu Yietera, CEO of the Corporation, told the Ethiopian Press Agency that while avocado oil remains the park’s primary product, new ventures in milk, honey, bananas, coffee, and juice processing have recently been launched.

Currently, Yirgalem Agro-Industrial Park hosts 32 projects, eight of which were introduced last year. Alongside the USD 3.36 million from avocado oil exports, the park generated an additional USD 300,000 from domestic sales of by-products.

The CEO emphasized that the park’s impact extends beyond revenue. More than 137,000 farmers have been connected directly to the market through cooperatives and youth organizations, reducing reliance on middlemen and ensuring higher returns for local producers.

Looking ahead, the Corporation plans to introduce 13 new projects in the 2018 fiscal year and raise the volume of raw materials processed to 25,000 tons. In addition, 14 hectares of land will be transferred to investors, with an increased focus on product quality and reducing waste.

Established five years ago with just two companies, Yirgalem Agro-Industrial Park has grown into a major driver of agro-industrial development in Sidama. Today, it provides permanent employment for 1,620 people, 52 percent of whom are women.

Source: Addis Zemen