HORTI NEWS

Ethiopia will play major part in world flower market

Source:ENA

Ethiopia will play a key role in the world flower market within two years time if the present growth trend continues strengthened in floriculture investment sector, the Ministry of Trade and Industry said.A special advisor with the ministry, Fantaye Biftu said the country has a highly favourable agro climatic condition to grow all varieties of roses, summer flowers, pot plants, shrubs and trees ....(Read More)(Click to view the pictures)

Prime Minister Meles visited flower farms around Debre Zeit area

Source : ENA

The visit Prime Minister Meles Zenawi paid to investment sites in the country is an indicator of the attention the government has given to private investment, investors engaged in flower development said.The Prime Minister visited Olay farm, Dugda Floriculture Development, Joytech and Minayes flower farms in Debrezeit area Yesterday March 24,2008.

Owner of the Dugda Floriculture Development Plc., Adugna Bekele told ENA on Monday that the visit Prime Minister Meles paid at the company's flower farm would have a meaningful contribution in the future activities of the farm.The visit would contribute for the efforts being made by the company and pertinent government bodies to find out solutions for problems being encountered in the sector.(Read More)(Click here to view pictures)

Meles says ongoing development activities promising

Source: ENA

Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said that the development activities in the country are being undertaken in away that is encouraging and promising.Meles on Monday visited flower farms and activities being executed in tourism sector by investors around Bishoftu town. The Premier told ENA after the visit that the development works he visited are all in good shape.(Read More)

CONGRATULATIONS

EHPEA has been awarded 1 st rank certificate & cup for it's contribution for the sector to the development of the country at the 1 st international tradefair at the millennium hall organized by vision oromia with the presences of H.E Ato Abadulla Gemeda president of the Oromia Regional State and other high government officials. During the ceremony some of our members were also awarded a certificate & a medal among the 200 outstanding investors. We would like to congratulate all our members for this great achivement that is the result of their continuous contribution and effort. (View Pictures)

VISION OROMIA 1st International Trade Fair opens

Source: Ethiopian Herald

Outstanding investors awarded

Vision Oromia 1st international Trade Fair was opened at the Millennium Hall in Addis. Opening the Trade Fair State Chief Abadula Gemeda said the state entered a new chapter in the history of the country that welcomed the New Millennium with a new vision and great enthusiasm to forge ahead fighting poverty and backwardness by sustaining the already achieved economic growth for the fifth time in a row.

The organization of the Trade Fair at a time when we are striving to promote the state and exert maximum effort to pave the way for massive undertakings that ensure sustainable economic development is vital. The trade fair is aimed at introducing service and products to potential customers and make a way for the future and also enable development forces and the government to work jointly to bring about rapid economic development, he said.

Abadula also took the opportunity to assure the presence of enabling investment climate in the state where the people are friendly and cooperative in any aspect.

State Trade and Investment Commissioner Alemu Sime on his part said the government has given due attention to investment. About 5,166 investment projects with a combined capital of 78 billion birr have been registered in the Oromia State since 1991. These projects are expected to create 988,000 jobs.

Green shoots of recovery

Source : Guardian Unlimited

Ethiopia Highland Flora, a three-year-old, $6.6m (£3.4m) Ethiopian-Dutch joint venture, is literally at the cutting edge of the Ethiopian government's drive to break the cycle of poverty, drought and famine that made the country a byword for misery in the 1970s and 1980s."Our aim is to make poverty history, stop begging for food and get back our pride. We are concentrating on development and foreign investment, especially in agriculture," said Teferi Melesse, a senior official.

Vying with established coffee, tea, textile and livestock products, floriculture is the new star turn of an economy that is 80% agricultural. Land under cultivation for flowers is projected to treble by 2009. Exports were worth $12.6m in 2005, compared with $660,000 in 2001.....Read More

Flowers are sign of economic change in Ethiopia

Tue Feb 12, 2008 (Reuters)

Pictures of emaciated children dying in their mothers' arms during Ethiopia's famine in 1985 cemented the country's image as a barren land where nothing grows.But just 30 minutes south of the capital, Addis Ababa, green hills and lush valleys abound, perfect for cultivating the country's fastest growing export -- flowers.

While flowers account for only 1 percent of Ethiopia's GDP, they are one of the most visible signs of a fast-growing economy that is becoming less reliant on its traditional coffee exports......( Read More)

Second largest flower farm budding

Source : Capital

The signing agreement for the second largest flower and horticulture investment project in Ethiopia, valued at 1.5 billion ETB, was held on Monday January 28, 2008 between Oromia Investment Office and Shadi plc..
According to Legesse Geleta, a senior expert in Oromia Investment Commission, this kind of investment is the first near Ambo town of West Shoa Zone. He added that the project is the second largest flower investment in the country next to the south east Oromia based Share Ethiopia, a Dutch investment near Zeway town.
Shadi plc is a Dutch and Indian joint venture with a capital of 1.5 bln ETB and aims to produce flowers on four hundred and ten hectares. According to Legesse the project will create job opportunities for more than six thousand employees....(Click here to read more)

Sher Begins Leasing 200 hct of Greenhouse

Source Fortune

Sher Ethiopia Plc, a company established by Dutch investors constructed a 200 hct greenhouse for flower and vegetable development at a cost of 40 million euros(540 million br) . The company has started leasing this greenhouse constructed outside Ziway, 163 Km south of Addis Abeba, with 20 partitions to local investors interested to grow flowers and vegetables.

“This is a landmark for the industry as it will be of great help to local investors that afford to construct greenhouses and buy seeds at once” Tsegaye Abebe, president of Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association told fortune .

Sher began constructing the greenhouse in late 2005 receiving state-owned agricultural plot from the Oromia regional state administration. According to the chairman, it needs an additional 18 months to cover a total 500ha of plot with greenhouses.

The construction and supply machineries for the Ziway greenhouses were made by Belgian VERMAKO and Israeli Azrom. It's water supply facilities were installed by the Dutch company, ATS

Meskel Flower Plc, the first company to engage in flower farming in Ethiopia, has so far leased a portion of land at the greenhouse. Other companies like Experience and Prince Vegetable also have commenced growing vegetables in the greenhouse leasing plots from Sher.

Sher collects lease payments from such companies for eight consecutive years and afterwards the plots will be transferred to the companies themselves.

Gerrit declined to divulge the lease prices of plots. However, according to sources, the lease price per square metre ranges from 0.55 to 0.70 euros (7.43-9.45 birr). “ As we have several lease orders from investors that are captivated by the greenhouse, we will begin another construction even bigger than this,” Gerrit Barnhoorn, chairman of Sher Ethiopia, told Fortune.

After the Ethiopian government formulated a policy in 2003 to encourage investors focusing on export, flower farming has been among the priority sectors.

With 72 local and foreign investors engaged in the sector, over 1000 ha of land has been cultivated until November 2007of which 860ha is covered with greenhouses.Of the 1.8 billion dollar total revenue Ethiopia generated last fiscal year from exports, 100 million dollars was fetched from floriculture. In the 2007/08 fiscal year, the country has envisaged to double the revenue from the export of flower.

Accordingly, the Amhara Regional state has parceled 700 ha in Bahir Dar to grant to flower investors free of lease, this compounding with flower farms in the Oromia and Southern Nations, Nationalities and peoples regional, is expected to boost the export revenue.

Meles speaks of government's readiness to closely work with investors in floriculture sector

Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said the government would work jointly with investors engaged in floriculture sector with a view to expanding the country's flower export.During a discussion held with the investors at the Prime Ministers office on Monday, Meles said that the government would scale up ongoing efforts to search for international market aiming at making the country's floriculture industry successful.

EHPEA exploring ways of increasing flower export to Russia

The Ethiopian Horticulture Producers and Exporters Association (EHPEA) held discussions today with a Russian delegation on ways of increasing flower export to the country (click here to read more) (View pictures)

Farm visit by members of the Ethiopian parliament and The Netherlands Parliament

EHPEA has organized a farm visit to the delegates of Social Affairs Standing Committee for the house Ethiopian of representatives on Monday January 14,2008. The objective of the farm visit was to see the overall performance of the farms in general and the various activities undertaken by the farms. The delegates were led by H.E Wr/o Azeb Mesfin first lady and chairperson of social affairs standing committee and H.E Mr. Merwan Bedri Vice Chairperson of the standing committee. The first group which is led by H.E Azeb Mesfin visited AQ Roses, Prince and ET VegFru in Ziway area while the other group led by H.E Mr. Merwan Bedri visited Dugda farm in Debrezeit area and all the delegates visited together Et- Vegfru, Red Fox and Almeta farms in Koka area. The chairman of EHPEA was also present to welcome and show around the guests.

The standing committee for foreign affairs of the Netherlands parliament of eleven delegates also made a farm visit on Friday January 11,2008. The delegates were on a working visit from January 09 - 14,2008 with the objective to familiarize the committee with the Netherlands' development cooperation programme in support of Ethiopia's effort on MDG implementation. The delegates visited farms at Ziway and Et Vegfru. The chairman of EHPEA was also present to welcome the guests and to show them around. (Click here to view pictures)

Training on Post Harvest handling and cool chain by CBI

Following the recent and very successful training on EU market expectations, the CBI Netherlands in collaboration with EHPEA organized for a second time a three days training on post harvest handling and cool chain management from December 13-16,2007. The training was given by Mr. Jeron Van der Hulst from CBI at Ghion hotel and farm sites in Debrezeit, Ziway and Holeta.

During the training there were 50 participants from 20 different farms. At the training Mr. Tsegaye Abebe Chairman of EHPEA and Mr. Geert Westenbrink Agriculture Counselor were guest of honors. The training focused on cool chain, quality, value & vase life management, followed by on farm quality & cool chain management. The training was given through lectures, practical examples, exercises and by making farm visits to Minaye, Ziway,AQ Roses and Arsi Flowers. (Click here to View Pictures)

Seeking success in Ethiopia

Ethiopian Horticulture is booming. The Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture has allocated 400,000 ha for the cultivation of horticultural crops which is attracting many international investors to the new production......(Read More)

IPM makes a start in Ethiopia

The two-spotted spider mite is small, but poses a serious threat to the success of Ethiopian roses. The cost of chemical crop protection is high and the risks of pesticides are enormous. Besides, pesticides are not always available. Rose production must therefore become less dependent on chemicals. A project has already started in Ethiopia to develop Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for the main pests and diseases.....(Read More)

Maersk Line to enter Ethiopia Exports' transport cost cut by 50%

The Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association (EHPEA), Ethiopian Netherlands Horticulture partnership and Mearsk have organized a reefer business forum followed by a cocktail reception at the Sheraton Addis Lalibela ballroom. The theme of the forum where “ Prospects & Challenges of fresh produce to the middle East and Europe by Reefer container”. At the forum board chairman of EHPEA made an opening remark followed by a keynote speech by H.E Dr. Abera Deressa Satate Minister for Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development…….( Read More)

Tigray State to Get 200m Br Vineyard

Ten prominent businesspeople engaged in flower farms are planning to venture in developing a vineyard and establish wineries, forming a new company two weeks ago, Ethio Grapes SC, with a capital of one million Birr.
The new company's first venture will be an investment of 200 million Br, to develop a vineyard and farm on a 1,000hct leased plot, to be made available by the administration of Tigray Regional State. Of the total plot promised by the Regional State, Ethio Grapes has begun work on 400hct. Moges Mesfin, head of the Tigray Region Investment Office, confirmed that this is the largest amount of land ever divvied out in the State...........(Read More)

1.4 bln USD from horticulture annually

Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association (EHPEA) has set an ambitious target to generate 1.4 bln USD annually within five years by expanding vegetable and fruits export in addition to the fast growing export of flowers.

Indicating its support to the plan introduced by Tsegaye Abebe, president of EHPEA at the first awards ceremony for exporters organized by the government, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said, "We share your target vision and will do whatever it takes to meet it." The association plans to cover 450 ha with flower farms and 750 ha for fruits and vegetables....(Read More)

A two days workshop entitled “The EU flower market, quality and cool chain management” is being given by CBI in collaboration with EHPEA at Ghion hotel starting from October 25, 2007 to 60 representatives of different farms. On the opening ceremony H.E Ato Fantaye Biftu Special advisor to the Minster of Trade and Industry, Dr Adhanom Negassi from MoTI and Ato Tsegaye Abebe Board chairman of EHPEA were present. During the ceremony Ato Tsegaye made an opening remark and officially opened the workshop. The workshop will cover topics on European market channel & requirements, selling on the flower auction, expectations of customers, farm development stages, performance of Ethiopian roses on the Dutch market and critical control points of flower farms. On the training there were presentations, discussions, group exercises and there will be a farm visit tomorrow.(Click to view pictures)

Contestants of the Miss Millennium Tourism made farm visits

Source: EHPEA

EHPEA partly sponsored the incoming of beauty contestants to Ethiopia from more than 40 different countries to promote the image of Ethiopia in the new millennium that we are celebrating as a country. Since horticulture is one of the growing sectors of the Ethiopian economy it was scheduled for the contestants to visit flower farms. For this EHPEA in collaboration with Ministry of Culture and Tourism has organized a farm visit for the Miss Millennium Tourisim contestants in 3 farms around Debrezeit area. They visited green houses, pack houses and cold rooms at Minaye flowers, Joy tech and Dugda floriculture on October 2,2007. During their visit explanation was given to them about the farms, they asked questions and showed their appreciation for the Ethiopian flowers. EHPEA believes these kinds of farm visits are important to change the image of the country. (Click here to view pictures).

Ethiopia breaking in to world flower market

Source: Sudan Tribune

Ethiopian horticulture producers and exporters association (EHPEA) said Ethiopia's tremendous efforts to boost the horticulture sector has created a break though in to the world flower market competition.

“The government's attractive policy stretched to investors with the existing peace and stability across the nation together is making foreign investors on the sector flood in to the country” association chair man Tsegay Abebe told Sudan Tribune.....(Read More)

Coming up Roses

After Coffee- Ethiopia's other export

UN Special

We were surprised to learn that Ethiopia is the second-largest producer of roses on Africa , with Kenya leading and sixth in the world after Hollland, Colombia, Ecuador, Kenya and Isreal. Seventy percent goes to the Netherlands, the biggest auction centere for flowers and the rest to Russia , the U.S , Japan etc.........(Read More)

Our member received 366 ha of land in Welisso

Source: Guardian September 29,2007

Ethiopian Meadows PLC the second largest exporter of cut rose flowers in Ethiopia has set its eyes on a promising future that would make the company the leading exporter soon .......(Read More)

Press Release: Flower Farm Employees receive Training Certificates for farms in DebreZeit area

The Ceremony today, held at Minaye by the kind invitation of Ato Yidnekachew Ayele, a Board member of the Association, marks the completion of training courses in Safe Use of Pesticides and Pesticide Store keeping by employees from member farms in the Debre Zeit area. Farm staff, (83), who are receiving Certificates have completed courses in Pesticide Store Keeping and the Safe Use of Pesticides when spraying in the greenhouses. Farms who have participated in the training programme in Debre Zeit include: Minaye, Dugda, Avon, Joy Tech, Roshanara, Sunrise (Yasin Legasse) and Spirit......(read more)

Source:EHPEA

KAIZEN Institute Africa gave workshop to EHPEA members

Source : EHPEA

KAIZEN Institute (KI) is a global management consulting company recognized as the international leader in helping companies implement KAIZEN tools and strategies to secure a competitive advantage, within their own particular industry and EHPEA organized a half day workshop on September 20,2007 at the global hotel. The presenter of the workshop was Mr. Himanshu Dodhia who is a Consultant at KAIZEN Kenya office. The KAIZEN Institute provides consulting services to companies represented in Europe, Asia, Africa and America aimed at improving total business performance through sustainable implementaion by transfering skills to make organizations autonomous in the managemnet of their own improvement.

During the workshop participants of different farms were present and the topics of the presentation were also very interesting . If you are interested to read more about the presentation Please Click Here.

IPM makes a start in Ethiopia

Source: FlowerTECH 2007 vol.10/no.3

The two-spotted spider mite is samall, but poses a serious threat to the success of chemical crop protection is high and the risks of pesticides are enoromus. Besides, pesticides are not always available. Rose production must therefore become less dependent on chemicals . A Project has already started in Ethiopia to develop Integrated pest Management (IPM) for the main pests and diseases......(Read More)

Flower exporters Strengthen ties to Japan

Source:Fortune

September 16,2007

Flower exports to Japan reacehed 70,000 stems per week a year after export was laucnched to world's second largest economy in 2006. the japanese Ambassador to Ethiopia, Kinichi Komano vowed in a traditional flower arrangement demonstration held at the Addis Ababa city Hall on September 13,2007 that Japan would increase its flower imports from Ethiopia......(Read More)

Customs,Horticultue association welcome diaspora Ethiopians

Source : Guardian -September 8,2007

The Ethiopian customs authority and EHPEA jointly sstaged a welcoming ceremony at Bole International airport to ethiopians from the Diaspora arriving for the millenium......(Read More)

Ethiopia's flower sector outgrows Kenya

Source: Nation Media, Kenya

September 10,2007

Ethiopia is now Africa's second largest flower exporter after Kenya, with its export earnings growing by 500 per cent over the past year.This has left Kenya stunned, given that five years ago, the Horn of Africa country was doing less than $20 million of exports compared with the East African giant's $300 million. It is estimated that, this year, Ethiopia will close its books at $120 million, slightly less than half of Kenya's earnings.“It has taken Ethiopia five years to achieve half of what we have in three decades,” Kenya Flower Council chairman Erastus Mureithi said.Going by this rate, Kenya could be overtaken by Ethiopia in a decade, he added.....(Read More)

Press Release: Flower Farm Employees receive Training Certificates(August 20,2007)

The Ceremony on Monday 15 th August, held at ET Highland Flora by the kind invitation of Ato Tsegaye Abebe, the Chairman of the Association, marks the completion of the first training courses by employees from member farms in the Sebeta area. The Farm staff, (55), who received Certificates have completed courses in Pesticide Store Keeping and the Safe Use of Pesticides when spraying in the greenhouses. Farms who have participated in the training programme so far are all in the Sebeta area....(Read More)

In colombia, around 8000 ha are in flower production, of which some 7000 are intensively cultivated under green-houses and 1000 ha are outdoor, rainfed(mostly foilage and filler ornamentals). Farms are located around two main clusters ......(Read More)

Post harvest treatments are a partner in Quality Control (FloriCulture International - the business magazing for floriculture worldwide, July/August 2007)

Quality control , where post-harvest treatments by growers play a significant role, can help to gurantee this degree of consumer pleasure. Growers use all their skills in the cultivation of mother plants to harvest perfect flowers. the question is whether 100% of the genetic potential of the cut flowers is realized in the consumer's home.......(Read More)

The national pilot project for the establishment of a diversification program for vegetable export development in Ethiopia and Sudan which was sponsored by the common fund for commodities (CFC) workshop was organized by EHPEA on July 18,2007 at Rift Valley hotel in Adama (Nazareth)..... (Read More)

EHPEA launches code of practice for flower growers (Capital July 1,2007)

The Ethiopian Horticulture Producers and Exporters Association (EHPEA), launched code of practice for sustainable flower production on Friday , June 29,2007 at the Hilton Hotel .......(Read More)

Addisu reaffirms gov't backing to boost floriculture sector development (Ethiopian herald June 30,2007)

Deputy prime Minister, Addisu Legesse has expressed the government's commitment toward providing the necessary support in boosting foreign currency earning from floriculture ....... (Read more)

Launching Ceremony of EHPEA Code of Practice for Sustainable flower production (June 30,2007)

EHPEA code of practice, which is unique to Ethiopia, was launched on Friday June 29,2007 at Hilton Hotel, Addis Ababa with the presence of H.E Ato Adissu Legesse Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, other ministries and invited guests. The code of practice is aimed at ensuring sustainable floriculture development in the country. It also encourages the implementation of good agricultural practice and sustainable production techniques through ensuring standards of occupational health and safety and acceptable employment practice, training and capacity building at all levels. The code sets three levels of performance namely ‘ Bronze, Silver and Gold' in bid to ensure sustainable production and management practices.

Source: EHPEA

Press Realese from EHPEA on the Lanching of the Code of practice for Sustainable Flower Production (June 30,2007)

Friday 29 th June saw the launch ceremony for the EHPEA Code of Practice at the Hilto Hotel, Addis Ababa.... (Read More)

Country of Contrasts, Challenges and Opportunities (June 21,2007)

Ethiopia's floriculture industry has been developing rapidly in recent yers due to government incentives and financial support from other countries. Not all agree however, that the local ambitions to reach a target of 3,000 ha of roses in three years time are realistic _ and yet construction goes on apace......(Read More)

Letter from EHPEA's Chairman on 'Flower industry needs to nip HIV in the bud' to Ethiopian Monitor and IRIN (May 25,2007)

On behalf of the Ethiopian Horticulture Producers and Exporters Association, EHPEA, that is the Association set up to represent the Flower Export Sector, I would like to comment on this article as follows....(Read More)

Flower industry needs to nip HIV in the bud (IRIN)

Ethiopia's flower industry is a booming business, but AIDS campaigners fear that inaction by farm owners and government, combined with a poorly educated workforce, could provide fertile ground for HIV .... (Read more)

Hortiflora Ethiopia 2007

Hortiflora Ethiopia 2007 exhibition an international exhibition held at the Addis Ababa exhibition center was opened by H.E Ato Addisu Legesse Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. It is the second horticulture exhibition hosted by Ethiopian Horticulture Producers Exporters Association (EHPEA) and its organizing partners..... (Read More)

Programme manager: Mr Peter J. van Gilst Status: current (open for application)

Help has arrived for exporters from developing countries (DCs) struggling to market their fresh fruit and vegetables in the European Union. The CBI´s new Export Coaching Programme (ECP) for Fresh Fruit & Vegetables has been especially designed to help DC companies with export ambition and potential to surmount the many obstacles separating them from sustainable European sales. The ECP was launched this year and lasts until 2014...Read more...

Flower producer Sher to go into food production

Leading flower grower, Sher Karuturi, says that it will soon enter the food production sub-sector, with plans to establish extensive rice and wheat farms in Ethiopia already at an advanced stage. According to the company’s chief executive, Rao Karuturi, the company is negotiating with the government of Ethiopia for more than 100,000 hectares to produce rice and a similar acreage for wheat and maize....Read more...

Interest to start Flower farm in Ethiopia growing up

Source: ENA(Addis Ababa) Amharic news on Addis Zemen . Read more....

A First Lady's Bouquet

Source: Capital Newspaper. Issued on Sunday July 27, 2008

Khadra Mohammed, First Lady of Djibouti, has received 20 hectares of land in the sebeta area for a flower farm, on Tuesday July 22, 2008 from Alemu Sime, Investment Bureau Head of the Oromia Regional State. Read more....

Minstry of Finance and Industry disclosed Flower farms in Ethiopia have created 30000 job opportunities

Source: Addis Zemen. Issued on Saturday August 9, 2008

ENA's report from Jimma: Minstry of Trade and Industry disclosed Flower farms in Ethiopia have created 30,000 job opportunities for nationals. It is also told that in the coming Ethiopian Year there is a plan to earn 306 mln.USD from the flower sector. Read more in Amharic...

Nation Obtains 111mln. USD from floriculture industry

Source: Ethiopian Herald. Issued on Saturday August 9, 2008

JIMMA (ENA)- Ethiopia has secured 111 mln USD from floriculture sector last fiscal year, the Minstry of Trade and Industry said. Read more....