Ethiopia Seeks Direct Air Cargo Routes to Russia for Coffee and Flowers

Ethiopia’s ambassador to Russia, Cham Ugala Uryat, outlined a concrete push to broaden trade with Russia by moving toward direct exports of goods via air freight. The diplomat’s remarks illuminate a path for stronger commercial ties, signaling that Addis Ababa is exploring faster, more direct routes for its products to reach Russian markets. The focus appears to be on ensuring both coffee and flowers can travel directly to Moscow, a move that could shorten supply chains and reduce transit times for Ethiopian exporters. Uryat noted optimism that private sector partners on both sides can iron out technical details that would make such an air-cargo corridor feasible. [RIA News]nnAccording to his statements, cargo flights between Ethiopia and Russia are expected to commence in the near term. Ethiopian Airlines has reportedly agreed to allocate cargo aircraft to support this initiative, delivering goods directly to entrepreneurs in Russia. The ambassador emphasized that if shipments are large enough, cargo aircraft could operate at or near full capacity, underscoring strong demand for Ethiopian coffee in major Russian cities. He suggested that the taste for coffee among Russians, particularly in big urban centers, could spur robust demand for these direct shipments. [RIA News]nnIn a broader economic context, Uryat indicated that Russia and Ethiopia should initiate talks on using their own currencies in mutual trade to simplify pricing and settlement. He referred to recent remarks by the Governor of the Central Bank of Russia, Elvira Nabiullina, noting that agreements on currency use among BRICS members have risen markedly. The diplomat’s comments align with wider discussions on currency diversification and payment stability in bilateral trade. [RIA News]nnThe conversation around Russia and Ethiopia’s bilateral trade portfolio also touches on additional regional patterns. There is awareness of shifts in trade flows and supply arrangements that could influence how African producers engage with European and Asian markets through Moscow. The ambassador’s remarks suggest a strategic interest in leveraging air cargo capacity to unlock quicker access to consumer markets, while also signaling a willingness to modernize financial arrangements to support smoother commerce. [RIA News]nnLooking ahead, observers in trade and logistics circles may watch for concrete milestones, including disclosed flight schedules, cargo capacity commitments, and the pace of currency integration discussions. As these developments unfold, Ethiopian exporters will evaluate the benefits of direct shipments versus established hub-and-spoke routes, and Russian buyers may weigh the reliability and speed of air-based deliveries from Africa. The overarching theme is a drive to shorten lead times and reduce friction in cross-border trade, with coffee and flowers standing at the forefront of this potential shift. [RIA News]