A consultative meeting was held today at the EHPEA office to deliberate on the new packaging standards set for fruits, vegetables, herbs, and vegetable seeds exported by air. The discussion aimed at enhancing efficiency and consistency across the export process.

The session brought together representatives from Customs, the Ministry of Agriculture, and EHPEA member farms to review the draft standards and align them with practical applications at farm level to ensure a seamless export experience.

Key discussion points included:

• Standardization of box dimensions, pallet numbering, and weight specifications according to crop type.

• Review of the proposed draft with an extension period to refine and improve implementation.

On the discussion it was emphasized that packaging standardization will significantly enhance product quality and compliance with international regulations, streamline export logistics through uniform packaging and faster customs processing, and minimize post-harvest losses by reducing damage during handling and transport.

As part of its ongoing commitment, EHPEA continues to advocate for member engagement in policy and standard-setting processes. This initiative marks a significant step toward strengthening Ethiopia’s horticultural export competitiveness and bolstering its global reputation for quality and reliability.