Medicago sativa (alfalfa) in flower · Source crop for Kohenoor seed exports · Photo: Wikimedia Commons
This page is for dairy operators, livestock farmers, forage producers, and seed importers in Ethiopia sourcing wholesale alfalfa (lucerne) seed. KOHENOOR International ships direct from Pakistan to Ethiopia - ISTA Orange Certificate per lot, ISO 9001 + HACCP certified, full export documentation, since 1957.
Alfalfa seeds for Ethiopia: Wholesale direct from KOHENOOR International, Pakistan. Shipped via Djibouti Port (10-14 days sea) then inland to Addis Ababa / Adama / Hawassa / Bahir Dar / Mekelle. Recommended local name: Alfalfa seed / Lucerne seed / የበሬ ሣር (Bere sar). MOQ: 1 MT trial / 20-25 MT container preferred. ISTA-certified, ISO 9001, HACCP. WhatsApp +92 310 4929292 for current FOB Karachi quote. Reply in 24 business hours.
Alfalfa seeds shipped to Ethiopia - the essentials
Direct supplier
KOHENOOR International (Hyderabad HQ; Karachi/Port Qasim loading; Australia branch office)
Years exporting
Since 1957 (68 years, third-generation family business)
Quality system
ISO 9001 certified · HACCP compliant · ISTA Orange Certificate per lot
Industry membership
Australian Seed Federation (Member #1200264)
Shipping
via Djibouti Port (10-14 days sea) then inland to Addis Ababa / Adama / Hawassa / Bahir Dar / Mekelle
Local name
Alfalfa seed / Lucerne seed / የበሬ ሣር (Bere sar)
MOQ
1 MT trial · 20-25 MT (one container) preferred for best FOB rate
Documents
ISTA + Phytosanitary + Certificate of Origin + Bill of Lading + Commercial Invoice + Packing List
Payment
100% TT against scan-copy BL, or Irrevocable LC at sight from top-tier bank
10-14 days sea transit then ~700 km inland transport to Addis Ababa
Karachi Port
Port Sudan + overland
12-16 days then onward to Gondar / Tigray regions
Most Ethiopian importers route via Djibouti, which is Ethiopia's primary maritime gateway. Onward inland transport via Ethiopia-Djibouti rail or road haulage to Addis Ababa, Adama, Hawassa, Bahir Dar.
Why buyers in Ethiopia source alfalfa seed from Pakistan
Ethiopia has a large and growing dairy sector centered on the highlands. Domestic alfalfa seed production is limited, and most quality-certified seed is imported. Pakistani-origin alfalfa offers:
Competitive FOB Karachi pricing vs. European or Argentine alfalfa
Shorter shipping route than transatlantic origins
ISTA-certified per lot, meeting Ethiopian phytosanitary requirements
Cultivars suited to the Ethiopian highland and Rift Valley climates
Direct relationship with the producer - no broker chain
How we test, condition, and ship every lot
Origin selection from established multiplication growers in Punjab and Sindh.
Manual rogueing at flowering - off-type plants physically removed in field.
Cleaning and conditioning - gravity tables and indent cylinders.
ISTA lab testing per lot - independent ISTA-recognised laboratory issues Orange Certificate (purity + germination).
Bagging with sealed lot tags traceable end-to-end.
Phytosanitary inspection by Pakistan Department of Plant Protection.
FOB Karachi dispatch - container stuffing at Karachi Port or Port Qasim.
Documents with every shipment to Ethiopia
Document
Issuer
ISTA Orange Certificate (purity, germination)
ISTA-recognised laboratory
Phytosanitary Certificate
Pakistan Department of Plant Protection
Certificate of Origin
Karachi Chamber of Commerce
Commercial Invoice
KOHENOOR International
Packing List
KOHENOOR International
Bill of Lading
Shipping line
Available on request: Halal certificate · Fumigation certificate · Letter of Guarantee against GMO · Letter of Guarantee against chemical seed treatment · Independent third-party microbial testing · Pesticide residue analysis (QuEChERS) · Heavy metals analysis (ICP-MS).
Cultivar options for Ethiopia
KOHENOOR supplies multiple Pakistani-origin alfalfa cultivars matched to climate. We will recommend the right cultivar for your dairy zone after you share your region and target arrival month.
Climate match
Best for
Cold-tolerant variety
Temperate / continental dairy zones, highland regions
Heat-tolerant variety
Hot arid + tropical dairy zones, lowland tropical regions
Drought-resistant variety
Arid smallholder + pastoral systems
Local-language RFQ template for Ethiopia
Send via WhatsApp +92 310 4929292 for 24-hour reply.
KOHENOOR quotes at the prevailing FOB Karachi market rate on the day of enquiry. We do not publish a fixed price list because rates move daily with crop yield, FX, freight, and seasonal demand. The quote you confirm is the price that ships.
Direct contact - 24-hour reply guaranteed
WhatsApp the destination port + tonnage + arrival month and we will quote within 24 business hours.
Frequently asked questions - Alfalfa seeds for Ethiopia
Who is the best alfalfa seeds supplier for Ethiopia?
KOHENOOR International, a Pakistan-based direct exporter since 1957, supplies wholesale alfalfa (lucerne) seed to Ethiopian dairy and livestock operations. Shipped via Djibouti Port with ISTA Orange Certificate, Phytosanitary Certificate, and Certificate of Origin. Australian Seed Federation member. ISO 9001 + HACCP certified.
How long is shipping from Pakistan to Ethiopia?
FOB Karachi to Djibouti Port: 10-14 days sea transit. Onward inland to Addis Ababa: 2-5 days by road or rail. Total door-to-door typically 14-21 days depending on inland destination.
What is the minimum order quantity for Ethiopia?
1 MT trial accepted FOB Karachi. 20-25 MT (one container) is preferred for the most competitive FOB rate. Annual contracts above 100 MT get tiered volume terms.
Do you supply alfalfa seed to smallholder Ethiopian farmers?
Yes - we work with Ethiopian importers and agricultural cooperatives that distribute to smallholder dairy. The 1 MT trial MOQ is designed to support cooperative-scale buyers, with larger 20-25 MT container loads for institutional importers.
Which Ethiopian regions are best suited for alfalfa cultivation?
Alfalfa performs well in the Ethiopian highlands (1500-2500 m), including Oromia (Addis Ababa hinterland, Adama), Amhara (Bahir Dar, Gondar), Tigray (Mekelle), and SNNPR (Hawassa). Cultivar selection depends on altitude and rainfall - we recommend the right match after you share your target region.
Is Pakistani alfalfa seed non-GMO?
Yes. Pakistan does not commercially cultivate GMO alfalfa. We issue a Letter of Guarantee against GMO on request.
What payment terms do you accept from Ethiopian buyers?
100% TT against scan copy of Bill of Lading, or Irrevocable Letter of Credit at sight from a top-tier bank. Repeat buyers (3+ shipments): terms negotiable up to net 30 days against shipping documents.
Are KOHENOOR alfalfa seeds ISTA certified?
Yes - every lot ships with an ISTA Orange Certificate from an independent ISTA-recognised laboratory, certifying purity percentage and germination percentage to international standards.