Agri Corp Records $840,000 in Falling Incense Export Revenues

Aug 6 , 2022


[ssba-buttons]

The state-owned Ethiopian Agricultural Businesses Corporation earned close to 840,000 dollars from the export of incense last year. A little over 500 quintals of incense was shipped to markets in Europe, Asia and Africa bringing in around 60pc of what the Corporation's executives had forecasted. A decline in production due to war has left Ethiopia's incense exporters unable to take advantage of a surge in global prices shooting up by nearly two-thirds. Incense is produced mainly in the Tigray and Amhara regional states, where militarised conflict has curtailed production. Exporters, including the Corporation, had shipped 500tn of incense over the first three quarters of last year, generating 2.2 million dollars. It is five times lower than export revenues from seven years ago, when Ethiopia shipped 3,500tn of incense, earning 11.8 million dollars. Still, the earnings were 200,000 dollars higher than what was registered over 2020/21. The primary sources of frankincense are tree or shrub species of the genus Boswellia, which comprises 20 species, of which six are found in Ethiopia.


Radar

Ministry Showcases Arada Branch Revenue Gains

Arada District's Land Development & Administration Branch pulled in over 150 million Br in just 70 days, beating its 90-day target. Most of the revenue came from annual lease collections and service fees. The office also billed 126 property owners for roof and fence valuations, already securing 20 million Br of the expected 46 million Br. Officials issued warnings to 15 allottees slow to start construction and recommended land right revocations in 11 cases. Leaders credited a more efficient...


Radar

Ministry Backs Blended Finance for Micro, Small Enterprises

The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) is partnering with Ministry of Finance to expand financial access for micro and small enterprises through blended finance and digital tools. Off-balance-sheet facilities are designed to attract private investors and Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) by reducing risk and improving capital flow. Digital platforms, including mobile money and digital IDs, will lower transaction costs and broaden reach. The initiative supports job creation and...


Radar

National Electricity Network Set for Upgrade

Ethiopia Electric Utility (EEU) plans to expand the national electricity grid by 8,689 km in the 2026 fiscal year, Yohannes Tonja, head of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation, said. The rollout includes 86,789 km of medium-voltage lines, 92,572 km of low-voltage lines, and pre-maintenance on transformers. EEU will also rehabilitate 1,218 km of medium-voltage lines, install 1,893 transformers, and upgrade 308.7 km of low-voltage infrastructure. Operational targets include cutting power interrup...