Diesel shortage halts horticultural project in Ethiopia

A Dutch horticulture professional working in Ethiopia has been forced to suspend his project due to a diesel shortage in the country. Dirk de Quaasteniet, an experienced Dutch specialist in greenhouse construction and plant cultivation, announced the halt via LinkedIn, noting he has no indication of when work might resume.

“As long as the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, oil will go to the highest bidder — and Ethiopia is unlikely to be among them,” he observed. De Quaasteniet had travelled by bus to the project site, which focuses on plant cultivation, and reported fuel shortages even during the journey. “The bus we used to travel to the project had already spent three days queuing for diesel. And without the right government documentation, you cannot obtain diesel at all,” he said.

With the project at a standstill, De Quaasteniet is now available for short-term assignments. He specialises in management and supervision of greenhouse construction projects.