Ice Usage Levels (Commercial Refrigeration and Food Sectors)
Ice is widely used in beverage, ice cream, fish and meat processing sectors where cold chains are important. Ice machines that produce cube, flake or nugget ice are becoming more common in both commercial and domestic applications.
Ice Machine Market Trends
According to 6Wresearch’s 2023 report, Ethiopia’s ice machine market is expected to grow steadily between 2024 and 2030, especially in the tower ice machine and flake ice system segment.
Who Provides These Services?
Global suppliers such as ATCO World are actively distributing flake and cube ice machines across Ethiopia. Local innovations include solar-powered units such as the Ahadu Solar Ice Maker (ASIM) designed to serve farmers and reduce post-harvest losses through off-grid cooling solutions.
Ice cream production facilities are supported by companies such as PMR India, which supplies equipment for local production.
International brands such as Cold Stone Creamery have entered the Ethiopian market through Belayab Foods by importing US-based machines and opening local branches.
Major Sectors Using Ice
Food and Beverage
– Ice cream production (both artisanal and industrial)
– Bars, cafes and cold drink distributors
– Fish and meat storage/transportation (especially for SMEs)
Agriculture and Fresh Produce
– Post-harvest cold storage to reduce spoilage
– Refrigeration facilities for vegetables, fruits and flowers
Domestic Use
– Households and supermarkets purchase ice in bags or use small household ice machines
– Still not very common outside of major cities
How Does the Public Need Ice?
In major cities (like Addis Ababa or Mekelle): Hotels, restaurants and grocery stores usually have their own ice machines or work with special distributors.
In smaller towns and rural areas: Ice is sold in plastic bags or cups. Solar-powered machines and community-shared devices are emerging as affordable alternatives (e.g. ASIM project)
Challenges and Proposed Solutions
- Underdeveloped cold chain infrastructure, especially in agriculture
- High initial cost of commercial-grade machines
- Limited access to electricity in rural areas
Sustainable Solutions
- Mobile solar-powered ice machines: Initiatives such as ASIM offer rural cold chain support.
- Strengthening local production and service networks for spare parts and maintenance
- Cooperative ownership models: Farmers co-invest in ice machines
- Government support: Micro-credit or subsidies for ice-related technology for farmers and small businesses
Ice use in Ethiopia is steadily expanding, particularly in the food, beverage and agricultural sectors. The ice machine market is growing, with both imported and locally developed machines playing important roles. Urban areas are using commercial solutions, while rural areas are adopting solar-powered or traditional methods. The future lies in renewable energy-based cold storage infrastructure, community collaboration and government-backed support to meet the growing demand for ice sustainably.
