The Ethiopian Horticulture & Flower Growers and Exporters Association hopes to generate $1.4 bn annually within five years by expanding fruit and vegetable exports in addition to its fast growing exports of cut flowers.
The plan was announced by the association’s president Tsegaye Abebe at the first government export awards ceremony “We share your target vision and will do whatever it takes to meet the target,” said prime minister Meles Zenawi, at the ceremony.
The prime minister also indicated that his government has 700ha of land “for free” in Bahir Dar, in the Amhara region, for investors wanting to start fruit and vegetable production. His government is also modernising Bahir Dar Airport to equip it with temperature-controlled facilities for fresh produce exports.
According to Tsegaye, in five years time, the sector will be in a position to employ 1.5 million people and engage 50,000 small-scale growers to supply exporters. By then, the association plans to have 450ha under flowers and 750ha dedicated to fruit and vegetable production.
“We strongly believe that flower farm growth has to be accompanied and linked with fruits and vegetables farm development,” Zenawi said.
At the awards on November 3, guests heard Ethiopia’s export earnings have increased from $436 in 2001 to 1.2bn in 2006. The flower sector is growing at almost 200 per cent annually.
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