Ethiopia’s Horticultural Producers and Exporters Association believes that the country could become one of Africa’s leading flower exporters within the next five years.
The flower sector in Ethiopia is growing at almost 200 percent annually. New growers come into the business everyday, while existing farms are being expanded.
The association’s chairman Tsegaye Abebe said Ethiopia generates €60 million from flower exports annually.
"In five years, we expect to be one of Africa’s leading flower growers with more than 3,000 hectares under production and generating over $600 million in foreign currency a year," Tsegaye said.
The government is processing land purchase applications by 100 international investors who would like to grow flowers, Tsegaye said during a horticulture exhibition.
Meanwhile, Ethiopia’s investment policy provides a five year tax holiday which has been a good attraction for investors.
Land and labour are also cheap and banks are ready to lend up to 70 percent of the initial investment without collateral.
Tsegaye said 70 percent of flowers produced in the country are presently exported to the Netherlands.
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