Ethiopia to export strawberries for first time
Addis Ababa, November 25, 2007 (Addis Ababa) - New line of premium strawberries will be made available for international market for the first time from Ethiopia as of 26 Nov. 2007, Fresh Plaza website reported.
Ilan Tot, a private limited company established by Israeli investors in Mojo town of the Oromia State, will export the new agricultural output.
The introduction of Ethiopia as a strawberry growing region opens up possibilities for year-round availability of quickly-delivered, exceptionally sweet, high-quality fruit which, due to initiatives implemented by Ilan Tot plc is being produced in a manner that will meet with the approval of socially conscious consumers. These Ethiopian-grown strawberries benefit from 1.700 meter altitude and strong sunlight concentrations to make them exceptionally sweet, with average of 10 percent sugar brix.
Ilan Tot plc strawberry farm is owned and managed by Ilan Eliyaho, previously one of Israel’s top strawberry growers with considerable experience supplying major supermarket chains such as Tesco with premium-range fruit.
The combination of his Israeli know-how with the consistent Ethiopian climate means the strawberries produced here are of excellent quality.
Because they are transported to Europe by air they are also delivered very fast - within 24-36 hours from harvesting, making them much fresher than fruit grown in other out-of-season supply countries. Fruit is picked and delivered 7 days a week. The farm created jobs to some 450 people. Some 85 percent of the workers are women.
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