Ethiopia’s Ministry of
Agriculture has signed a contract with Chinese agro-industrial engineering company Agrifam Co., Ltd to build a fully automated poultry hatchery, strengthening the country’s
poultry production capacity as demand for animal protein continues to rise.
The ministry announced on June 15 that the project will establish a modern hatchery designed to incubate poultry eggs, including those of chickens, turkeys, and ducks, and produce day-old chicks for commercial farming operations.
The project carries a total cost of $10.15 million. The African Development Bank (AfDB) supports the investment through the Ethiopia Poultry Value Chain Development Program (E-PVDP).
According to information reported by local media outlet Fidel Post, the facility will provide an annual incubation capacity of 63 million eggs. Authorities expect the project to strengthen national poultry production capabilities and improve producers’ access to quality inputs throughout the value chain.
“The project includes the delivery of state-of-the-art equipment, its installation, technical testing, commissioning, and the construction of associated infrastructure. The agreement also provides for the supply of spare parts over a five-year period to ensure the long-term operational sustainability and reliability of the facilities,” the Ministry of Agriculture said in a statement.
Under the terms of the contract, construction will begin within one week of the agreement taking effect, while developers expect to complete the project within 12 months.
A Timely Investment
The announcement comes as Ethiopia advances its poultry industry growth agenda under its National Poultry Development Strategy 2022–2031. Through the strategy, Addis Ababa aims to increase annual chicken meat production to 106,000 metric tons over the long term.
The sector has already demonstrated strong momentum. Estimates from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) show that Ethiopia increased chicken meat production to 61,261 metric tons in 2024, up from 48,846 metric tons in 2022, representing growth of approximately 25% over two years.
Beyond increasing the domestic supply of day-old chicks, the investment also seeks to reduce the country’s reliance on imports. According to Trade Map data, Ethiopia imported nearly $3.4 million worth of chicks in 2025 to meet domestic market demand.
