
-7th int’l Agrofood , Plastprintpack exhibition set for June
ADDIS ABABA – The Ministry of Industry has announced that around 500 investors have shown strong interest in launching businesses in Ethiopia’s integrated agro-industrial parks.
Speaking at a press briefing ahead of the upcoming 7th International Agrofood and Plastprintpack Exhibition, the Industry Minister’s Advisor Daniel Olani stated that Ethiopia currently has 28 to 29 industrial parks, four of which are integrated agro-industrial parks. One additional park is under construction.
“These parks are primarily focused on food production and related sectors, aiming to connect farmers directly with processing industries and build a cohesive value chain,” he explained.
Among the operational parks, Bulbula, Bure, and Yirgalem have attracted the most investor attention. So far, 120 investors have signed agreements to begin operations, while the rest are in various stages of interest and negotiation.
Daniel added that the ministry is actively facilitating joint ventures between local and international investors while offering technical support to boost productivity.
He also highlighted that land lease rates within the parks are kept low to attract investment. The parks are supported by rural transformation centers, which serve as hubs for semi-processed goods to be refined into finished products—primarily in the food and beverage sector.
In a related development, Prana Events Managing Director Nebeyu Lemma announced that Ethiopia will host the 7th International Agrofood and Plastprintpack Exhibition at Millennium Hall in Addis Ababa from June 19–21, 2025. The exhibition will spotlight Ethiopia’s thriving coffee industry alongside other key agro-food products.
Fairtrade Messe Managing Director Paul Marz, noted that the event will feature both the Ethiopian Food Show and the Ethiopian Coffee Show. It is expected to draw 140 exhibitors from 15 countries, including China, Italy, Turkey, Taiwan, Saudi Arabia, Germany, Jordan, Kenya, the UAE, and Poland.
The exhibition aims to facilitate direct engagement between stakeholders and promote long-term partnerships in the agro-industrial and packaging sectors. The event is organized by Germany-based Fairtrade Messe in collaboration with local partner Prana Events.
BY MISGANAW ASNAKE
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD WEDNESDAY 4 JUNE 2025