Analysis of the global and local emerging issues and its influence on the Ethiopian sugar industry
Keywords:
Sugar-industry, Emerging-issues, Global-issues, Local-issues, SustainabilityAbstract
This article aimed to assess the global and local emerging issues and the effects s of these issues on the Ethiopian sugar industry. A qualitative research design was applied in the course of the study. Data was collected from the participants in the Ethiopian Sugar Industry Group and the Group’s key stakeholders through interview and Focus Group Discussion. Fifty three participants, selected through a non-probability sampling method, took part in providing data, which later was analyzed qualitatively. It was concluded that the shifting of consumer preferences in the global market due to the growing health concerns, the sugar production volatility caused by climate change, pressure of global forces calling for eco-friendliness in production, and strict competition between the old-new emerging markets for the sugar product are the major key issues which determine the sugar industry’s development prospects in Ethiopia. The interaction between global issues like sugar price and demand trend, trade policies, and technological advancements in production and processes, and the local situations of a nation such as state policies, production efficiency and related resources like the labour determines the industry's ability to compete both locally and internationally. Thus, in order to address the global and local challenges impacting Ethiopia's sugar industry development, actionable strategies such as heightening the private sector investment to bring new insights, technologies and experiences to the industry, continued infrastructure development, industry diversification into the value-added products, implementation of the environment-friendly production practices, and introducing supportive policies that address the supply chain issues are suggested.
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