Global Industry Players Converge in Addis as 7th Agrofood, Plastprintpack, and Coffee Shows Open

The 7th edition of Agrofood and Plastprintpack Ethiopia opened today at Millennium Hall, Addis Ababa, drawing 158 exhibitors from 16 countries, a clear signal of growing international interest in Ethiopia’s agro-industrial potential.

The launch ceremony welcomed prominent figures such as State Minister of Industry Hassen Mohammed, Brazilian Ambassador Jandyr Ferreira dos Santos, Turkish Ambassador Berk Baran, Prana Events Managing Director Nebeyu Lemma, and fairtrade Messe Managing Director Paul März.

Held alongside the Ethiopia Food Show and the Ethiopica Coffee Show, this year’s expo presents a rare convergence of food, agriculture, packaging, and coffee industry leaders. Participating countries include major exporters and industrial players such as Brazil, Germany, Türkiye, and the United Arab Emirates.

At the opening, State Minister of Industry Hassen emphasized that the expo “mirrors the transformation underway,” where agriculture is no longer confined to subsistence, but instead fuels industrial growth. “Innovation in farming and processing is now central to Ethiopia’s industrial agenda,” he said.

Ambassador Berk Baran of Türkiye echoed this shift, citing Ethiopia’s “transformative projects and consistent GDP growth” as catalysts attracting foreign direct investment, especially in food processing and packaging sectors.

Organized by fairtrade Messe with local partner Prana Events, the Expo enjoys active support from national and international ministries, authorities, and trade associations—and underscores Ethiopia’s drive toward economic diversification and industrial modernization. Nebeyu Lemma, Managing Director of Prana Events, noted that the event is “the outcome of shared ambition and belief in Ethiopia’s capacity to lead in agro-industry and coffee value addition.” He added that the plastics on display are not single-use, in compliance with the new proclamation that bans such products. “There’s a widespread misconception in Ethiopia that plastic itself is harmful, but that’s not the case. Plastic is part of everyday life, from household items to aircraft components. The real issue lies in how we manage plastic after it has been used,” he told EBR.