ETHIOPIA – The Edible oil manufacturers of Ethiopia on 17 May 2018 launched their association dubbed the Ethiopian Edible Oil Producers Manufacturing Industry Association to articulate the interests of both foreign and local edible oil producers, reported AddisFortune.
At the launch, close to 66 manufacturers and were present and nearly 100 companies signed on the association who tasked a team of six (from Food, Beverage & Pharmaceutical Industry Development Institute and private manufacturers) with overseeing the organisation of the association.
According to the draft regulation of the association, any edible oil manufacturing company, either Ethiopian or foreign, and with a legal license to produce edible oil in the country was eligible to apply.
The association has its temporary headquarters in the country’s capital, Kalid Beshir was named first president and Wudu Hassen Nuriye as vice president of the infant association.
The association whose chairman of the board has seven members will focus on import substitution of cooking oils and bringing the products of the manufacturers to the global market.
It will also address challenges such as shortage of raw-materials and lacklustre application of the edible oil fortification standard.
“Addis Mojo will push for members of the Association to recognise the standard set for the production of edible in Ethiopia,” said Kalid to Fortune.
“As a union, we will forward our concerns over the shortage of raw materials to the government jointly.”
Given the challenges, Ethiopia has opted to importing palm oil from such countries as Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore to satisfy its edible oil consumption.
Although the government banned importation of edible oil in 2011, a prevalence in market shortages saw it allow selected public and private companies such as Alle Bejimla, Hamaressa Edible Oil S.C. and Belayneh Kinde Import & Export to import and distribute the product in the local market.
According to Habtamu Taye, Oil Seeds Processing director at the Institute, 96% of the nation’s demand for edible oil was being fulfilled by imports by 2016.
“Passivity is what made the previous associations unsuccessful,” Habtamu said.
“The new association will have the government’s support when it comes to research and logistics.”
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