By Asha Elmi - Reporter
Djibouti, 16 September 2026 Somalia is seeking to resume vegetable exports to Djibouti as the two countries’ chambers of commerce discuss expanding trade, investment and port connectivity, officials from the Somali Chamber of Commerce and Industry said.
The announcement followed a meeting in Djibouti on Tuesday led by Somali Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Yasin Mohamud Ibar and his Djiboutian counterpart, Youssouf Moussa Dawaleh. Business representatives from both countries attended the meeting.
Somali businesses called on their Djiboutian counterparts to resume imports of bananas, papayas, watermelons and other agricultural products from Somalia. They also highlighted trade opportunities involving frankincense and other natural resources.
Ibar said transport difficulties and limited connectivity between the two countries had disrupted Somalia’s agricultural exports. He added that Somali products could find a market in Djibouti, which imports most of its food.
The two sides also discussed deploying small feeder vessels to transport goods from the Port of Djibouti to several Somali ports.
Related articles
Djibouti exported about $54 million worth of goods to Somalia in 2023, making Somalia its seventh-largest export market, according to World Trade Organization data based on UN Comtrade figures.
Djibouti imported goods worth $84.2 million from Somalia in the same year, UN Comtrade data showed. Most of that value was recorded under printed products, while processed vegetable, fruit and nut products were valued at about $52,000.
Commercial ties between the two countries stretch back years but have represented a relatively small share of Somalia’s overall trade. Djibouti accounted for an average of 1% of Somali exports between 2010 and 2017, according to Somalia’s central bank. The share reached 2% in 2017.
Official data did not indicate when fresh vegetable exports stopped or the volume of trade now being considered.
The Somali and Djiboutian chambers said they planned to sign a memorandum of understanding covering trade, investment and logistics cooperation.