Gift of Ethiopia to the World

OPINIONBy Mekonnen Hailu

An overwhelming number of people dream of receiving a bunch of beautiful and fragrant Ethiopia's roses from their beloved whenever Valentine's Day or other special occasions draw close. If you are lucky, you will, of course, receive one bunch.

Ethiopia is one of the world's foremost producers and exporters of flowers to the international market. The country has made a remarkable achievement in Floriculture Export Development sector in a course of a decade time.

Ethiopia ranks 5th in supplying cut flowers to the global market next to the Netherlands, Ecuador, Kenya and Colombia, according to the recent information secured from the International Trade Center (ITC). Ethiopia's roses and summer flowers are more popular in European market. Norway, USA, Saudi Arabia, Japan,United Arab Emirates are also the major market destinations.

Of the total 135 horticulture companies operating in Ethiopia, 90 foreign and local companies are engaged in the floriculture export development sector. Following the dramatic growth of the industry, the country has so far an opportunity of hosting six International Floriculture and Horticulture Trade Exhibitions.

For instance, the HortiFlora Ethiopia Expo 2015, which was held in Addis Ababa at millennium hall, has not faded away from the memory of most of the growers and potential buyers. In the International expo over 100 companies and more than 1,500 trade visitors had participated.

The International Expo was very impressive and had helped in showcasing the huge potential of the country in the floriculture sector. Several attendees were big buyers from Europe, Asia, Middle East and North America. It can be said that the Ethiopian Government by putting a lot of emphasis on the development of the Ethiopian Floriculture and Horticulture Industry-takes the higher portion of the credit of this enormous achievement.

The floriculture industry is booming and the country is now the second largest supplier and exporter of high quality flowers from Africa. In 2014/15 budget year, Ethiopia had secured 249 million USD from the horticulture export sector.

It was flowers that made up the biggest share amounting 203 million USD. The revenue was secured from the sale of 702 million stems of cuttings and 45 thousand tons of roses and summer flowers. The floriculture sector is continuously growing from year to year. This budget year, more specifically during the course of the last six months, for instance, the sector has registered 18 percent growth in revenue compared to the same period last year.

The secret behind the success of the floriculture export industry is that the country is endowed with natural resources such as fertile soil, vast water resource and excellent climate suitable for agriculture. Besides,the prevailing investment environment, attractive incentives packages, abundant labour and the proximity to an international airport in relation to the location of the flower farms are other determinant factors that make Ethiopia more successful in the sector.

As Ethiopia exports high quality flowers, internationally renowned personalities have began to prefer Ethiopian flowers for decorating their wedding ceremony with our roses. A case in point, last year the Swedish Royal family had adorned their wedding ceremony with Ethiopia's magnificent flowers.

To sum up, the beautiful and fragrant flowers are invaluable gifts Ethiopia proffer to the world on such celebrations like Valentine Day.

Mekonnen Hailu is  EHDA, Head of Public Relations Office.