Over the last five years, Ethiopia’s Ministry of Agriculture reported earning over USD 38 million from exporting banana and avocado, mainly to Djibouti, Somalia, and Middle Eastern markets, with banana contributing the largest share. Somalia has strong banana potential and a famous reputation, but exports remain limited because the export system (quality standards, post-harvest handling, logistics/cold chain, finance, and security along trade routes) is not yet consistently in place. Rift Valley Institute+3Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation+3SATG+3
1) What Ethiopia is doing (and why it works)
Ethiopia’s reported performance shows three practical strengths:
First, it targets reachable markets. Most exports go to nearby and regional markets (Djibouti, Somalia) and the Middle East—shorter routes and simpler logistics than distant premium markets. Second, it builds an export pipeline. The same official source notes government planning to expand horticulture, including longer-term roadmaps (mentioned for avocado). Third, it treats horticulture as a coordinated sector. Recent industry commentary highlights Ethiopia’s push to connect production advantages with modern systems and export opportunities, especially toward Gulf markets. HortiDaily+1
2) Somalia’s banana strength (and why people still call them “Somali bananas”)
Somalia historically exported bananas at scale. One sector overview notes peak performance in the late 1980s with exports mainly to Italy and the Middle East, and large employment linked to the industry. SATG
Somalia’s own Ministry of Agriculture report emphasizes the global “brand” reputation and argues that even when Somalia is not exporting, “Somali bananas” are still a known label in some markets. Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation
So the issue is not climate or consumer demand alone. The issue is export readiness.
3) Why Somalia is not exporting bananas at the same level (key constraints)
A) Export-quality gap (farm + post-harvest)
Somalia’s Ministry of Agriculture report states clearly that current banana production “does not have export qualities” and points to the need for technical requirements and processing/handling systems. Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation
A value-chain briefing also highlights constraints such as limited skills, weak post-harvest handling, and missing packaging/ripening systems. SATG
B) Missing infrastructure (roads, irrigation maintenance, inputs)
A detailed banana-chain document warns that poor machinery/irrigation maintenance and input constraints can block the quantity and quality needed for export revival. IGAD Land Governance Portal
C) Security and “route costs”
Trade routes in Somalia face widespread checkpoint systems. A major checkpoint-mapping effort documented hundreds of checkpoints across the road network, which increases costs and uncertainty for perishable products like bananas. Rift Valley Institute
D) Finance and investment barriers The sector overview also points to limited access to finance as a recurring barrier, which matters because export bananas require upfront spending (inputs, packing, cooling, transport). SATG
4) What Somalia can do (a realistic export-revival roadmap)
Step 1 — Start with 1–2 “export corridors”
Pick one high-potential production zone and one port route. Focus on reliable collection, grading, and dispatch schedules.
Step 2 — Build export basics before chasing premium markets
Create one functional packhouse (washing, grading, boxing) and basic cold handling (pre-cooling/reefers if possible). This directly fixes the “export quality” problem mentioned by Somalia’s MoA report. Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation
Step 3 — Organize producers (cooperatives + a sector body)
Somalia’s MoA report recommends a structured partnership approach (public-private coordination) and even discusses a “banana board/council” concept to coordinate recovery. Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation
Step 4 — Reduce route friction for perishables
Because bananas lose value fast, exporters need fewer delays and informal costs on roads. Checkpoint realities are not just security issues—they are quality and competitiveness issues. Rift Valley Institute
Step 5 — Publish standards and train for compliance
Train farmers and traders on harvest timing, bunch handling, sorting, carton standards, and basic traceability. The goal is simple: consistent quality every shipment.
Conclusion
Ethiopia’s banana/avocado earnings show what is possible when a country pairs production with markets, planning, and workable logistics.
Somalia already has reputation and potential, but export revival requires rebuilding the system: export-quality production, post-harvest handling, logistics, security along corridors, and producer organization. Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation+2SATG+2
If Somalia implements a corridor-based pilot with strong standards and transparent coordination, banana exports can become a practical driver of jobs, farmer income, and foreign exchange again.
