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Oilseeds and Pulses
Ethiopia occupies
a favorable geographical area of the production of different types
of pulses and oil crops. The prevailing conditions-long sunny summer
days, mid winters among others are conducive for cultivating most of
these crops.
Oilseeds production in the country is usually undertaken
with out the use of pesticides and fertilizers, Hence, if
appropriate certification is acquired it can be sold with organic
labeling at a premium price.
Ethiopian oil seeds and pulses are known for their flavor
and nutritional value as they are mostly produced organically. The
Ethiopian white sesame seed is used as a reference for grading
international market.
In Ethiopia, the size of oil seeds farm land for 2003 and
2004 was approximately 570,783 hectare and the production collected
was about 3,128,626 quintals; of which the country exported about
109,733 tons of the total production.
The major oil seeds export crop include
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Sesame
seeds |
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Sun
flower seeds |
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Niger
seeds |
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Ground
nuts |
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Line
seeds |
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Rape
seeds |
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Castor
oil seed and pumpkin seeds |
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In the case of pulses;
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Horse
beans |
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Pea beans
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Chick
peas |
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Beans |
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Lentils
are the major export items |
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Ethiopia’s major
export markets for oil seeds and pulses re Saudi Arabia, Yemen,
Israel, European Union, Japan and some neighboring African countries
Horticulture
With favorable climate, abundant labor, vast land and water
resources, most regions of the country are suitable for the
production of a wide range of tropical and sub-tropical fruits and
vegetables. Horticulture has a huge potential to diversify export
commodities, to earn considerable foreign currency and to create job
opportunity.
Ethiopia exports
large quantities of fresh fruits and vegetables to Djibouti, besides
exporting some processed fruits and vegetables to Yemen, Saudi
Arabia and other Middle East countries. The most important fruit and
vegetable exports of Ethiopia are manly produced on state
plantations and are exported to Europe. Private growers have also
started exporting vegetable to the Middle east and Europe, even if
the share of the private export is less than 10% of the total value
of fruit and vegetable exports.
The country’s fruit and vegetable export in 2003 was about
25,300 tons. In 2004, this has grown to 28,452 tons while its
earning rose from 6.87 million Dollars to 9.6 million Dollars. Major
vegetable export products include;
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Potato
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Shallots
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Bobby
beans |
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Cabbage
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White and
red onion |
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Leeks
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Beetroot
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Tomato
and lettuce |
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Carrots |
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Green
Chile |
The main export fruits are;
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Orange
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Mandarin
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Grape
fruit |
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Mango
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Guava
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Lemon |
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Lime and
several other |
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Ethiopia’s
floriculture demand in the international market is very high. For
instance, the Ethiopian rose competes in quality with roses grown in
Holland as well as in Colombia. The country’s diversified
agro-ecology, which varies in terms of altitude, soil classification
and other natural resources, provides an opportunity to produce
different species suitable for different ecological zones. To grow
high quality roses the altitude plays a vital role, especially, with
the provisions, of all the necessary agronomic practices and
infrastructure requirements. Ethiopia has a comparative advantage in
the production and export of cut flowers as a result of its suitable
agro-ecological conditions, location and relatively low labor costs.
Ethiopian had exported 16 million cut flowers to the world
market in 2003 and 32 million cut flowers in 2004.
The major cut flower export include;-
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Statice
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Roses and
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Allium
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Carnations |
Spices
The diversified agro-climatic condition of the country is
very suitable of the growth of both indigenous as well as exotic
species of spices.
Ethiopian Kararmia or Korarima Cordoman ( Aframomum
Korarima) and the Ethiopian long pepper ( Pepper longum) are some
of the species of spices indigenous to Ethiopia .
The country has exported 4,348 tons of spices products in
2003 and 10m,107 tons of spice in 2004.
The main spice export items include:
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Pepper
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Cumin
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Cardamon |
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Turmeric
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Ginger
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The major importing countries of Ethiopian spice include;
Yemen, USA, Djibouti, Sudan, Germany and Saudi Arabia.
Tea
In Ethiopia, tea is mostly grown in the high land dense
forest regions where the land is fertile. The climatic conditions of
the country offer excellent opportunities for the production and
processing of tea. Ethiopian tea is increasingly sought for its
aroma and natural flavors.
Tea offers opportunity for production. Tea production and
processing has reached 3,900 tons by 2003, f which 1,782 tons was
exported and I 2004 the amount of export has reached 1,955 tons.
Natural Gum
Ethiopia is
endowed with distinct climatic conditions, which enables it to grow
diverse plant species used for industrial and pharmaceutical
purposes. Acacia, commiphora and Boswellia could be mentioned as one
group- of the various plant species grown in the arid and semi-arid
areas yielding important gums.
Gum Olibanum derived from Boswellia, gum Myrrh, and
Oppoponex derived form commiphora and Gum Arabic derived from Acacia
species are the major gum products produced mainly for the export
markets Apart form their pharmaceutical applications these products
have a wide range of industrial uses in areas such as beverages,
candies chewing gums confectioneries, dairy products, gelatins nut
products, puddings and canned vegetables.
Ethiopia has
exported 1,544 tons of natural gum in 2003. The export in the sector
has grown to 3,109 tons in 2004. At present, there are more than
fifteen natural gum exporters in the country .
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