@AgricultureEthiopia – Ethiopian Business Review

Holland Dairy has inaugurated a new cold storage facility and wastewater treatment plant in Bishoftu, built with an investment of over USD 4 million. The project is part of the company’s effort to support cleaner dairy production and tackle water use challenges in Ethiopia.

The new storage unit can hold about one million yogurt cups, or 400,000 liters of yogurt, giving the company the capacity to better handle demand while keeping products fresh.

Holland Dairy processes both milk and yogurt using between 2 and 2.5 liters of water per liter of product. As the company grows, it says wastewater levels are rising quickly. The new plant treats all used water, mostly drawn from underground sources before it’s returned to nature. Some of this water is reused to help safeguard the environment, nearby farms, and local lakes.

The company works closely with more than 4,000 dairy farmers and 15 to 20 cooperatives in areas like Chancho, Debre Birhan, Arsi, Bekoji, Fiche, and Mukturi. These farmers supply the fresh milk that feeds Holland Dairy’s production line.

“If we want to grow, they need to grow,” said Robin Veenstra, CEO of Holland Dairy. “That’s how we see it. We don’t just wait and hope things get better, we get involved and help improve quality and supply together.”

Looking beyond its current stronghold in Addis Ababa, Holland Dairy has expressed intentions to distribute Gouda cheese more widely across Ethiopia and launch new product flavors. The company is also eyeing regional markets in East Africa, including Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda, as part of its long-term growth strategy.

The Ministry of Transport and Logistics has announced that the Ethio-Djibouti Railway has steadily increased its transportation capacity, with plans to handle 50% of Ethiopia’s export cargo in the near future. The railway has consistently boosted its cargo capacity by 14.2% annually, solidifying its critical role in Ethiopia’s trade infrastructure.

Currently, the railway plays a pivotal part in the export of Ethiopian coffee, transporting 98% of the country’s coffee exports. It also handles a diverse range of goods, from fertilizers and livestock to heavy machinery, buses, and new trucks, showcasing its capacity to manage both multimodal and unimodal container loads.

In addition, the railway is instrumental in transporting perishable goods in containerized form, maintaining quality, and ensuring that products reach foreign markets in optimal condition—vital for safeguarding Ethiopia’s expected income from foreign trade.

Looking ahead, the Ethio-Djibouti Railway Corporation has set ambitious targets. It aims to cover 50% of Ethiopia’s freight transport needs, increase train frequency to 14 trains per day, and enhance the speed of freight trains to 58 km/h. Furthermore, the corporation is moving toward a fully digitalized rail service, focusing on improving operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Recent strides include obtaining multimodal operating and freight forwarding licenses, expanding its service offerings, and positioning itself as a key player in Ethiopia’s freight and logistics sector. The railway’s growth reflects not only its expanding capabilities but also Ethiopia’s ongoing efforts to improve trade efficiency and strengthen its position in the global market.

Holland Dairy Unveils USD4 Million Cold Storage and Wastewater Facility

Ethio-Djibouti Railway Aims to Dominate 50% of Ethiopia’s Export Cargo