Somalia, 27 October 2025 - The Somali government will require airlines operating in the country to transport domestically grown fruits and vegetables, a move aimed at boosting food security and integrating local markets.
Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, Mohamed Abdi Hayir, announced the new mandate on Sunday at the National Agricultural Development Forum. He stressed that agriculture and livestock remain the backbone of Somalia’s economy, despite the challenges from decades of conflict and infrastructure collapse.
“We will compel airlines to transport fruits and vegetables from the regions to local markets — I have already said this before,” Minister Hayir stated. “It may not have been implemented yet, but I made it clear that Somali airlines must prioritize local agricultural products and deliver them where markets exist.”
The minister strongly criticized local carriers for prioritizing foreign goods over locally produced Somali goods.
“It is unfortunate that Somali airlines transport produce from foreign countries but fail to collect fresh fruits and vegetables from places like Baidoa,” he said. “They see this as disorganization, even rejecting government directives, while others follow the order to transport local produce.”
Minister Hayir added that the government plans to expand the department responsible for marketing agricultural products to boost production and improve the quality of local crops.
Somalia continues to import most of its fruits and vegetables, despite having vast fertile land capable of meeting domestic demand. The Minister stressed that the new measure is part of the government’s broader plan to enhance food security, modernize agricultural infrastructure, and promote rural employment and income generation
