An export oriented Banana and Tomato Processing Factory (BanaTom) located in Alebu, Haikota sub zone, Eritrea. The factory is expected to reduce the gap between the national import and export rate, create job opportunities and provide market to the farmers in the area.

The factory is located in Alebu because of the fertile land and the farmers in the area mainly produce banana and tomato. BanaTom, would provide market to the farmers who used to travel long distance to sell their products. Setting up the factory in Alebu would also help in promoting equitable economic growth, social justice and introducing modern farming system in remote areas. 

Regarding the standard and quality of production, a sample of the Factory’s production was sent abroad and was found to meet international standards. 

The Factory has opened job opportunities for 170 people. There are more than 8,000 residents in Alebu, most of them returnees from the Sudan. 

Regarding market for the factory, Mrs. Mariana Ruggeri, an Italian agronomist, said that the products of the factory have achieved recognition in the world market and it would easily be competitive. She also stated that the bananas and tomatoes are grown using modern techniques and has passed local and foreign quality control tests. Mrs. Mariana has been supervising the products for a year.The factory carries out activities that ensure hygiene and good quality produce through modern electronic equipment. It has also the advantage of getting the required raw materials readily available from the nearby.The Ministry of Agriculture has supplied farmers with quality banana and tomato seedlings, modern farming equipment and insecticides.

Eritrea’s Modern Pasta Processing Factory