Structure of Ethiopian horticulture sector

Growers:
Generally there are five categories growers of fruit and vegetable and this includes small subsistence growers with no or some amount of marketable surplus, small but market oriented producers, private commercial farms, state owned relatively large farms, other institutional growers. While production of flowers is operated by fully market based commercial growers who use modern technology both in production and marketing processes.

With the exception of very few state enterprises and private farms, the use of irrigation and modern agricultural inputs is underdeveloped in Ethiopia and land productivity of most fruits and vegetables is at lower level as compared to other countries producing similar products.

Flower farms:
Currently (March, 2006),

     - 19 flower farms are owned by local investors
     - 25 flower farms are owned by foreign investors
     - 10 flower farms are in joint venture
     - 38 flower farms are under production

Until presently, a total of 2031 half of land is allotted to flower production of which 321.3 ha is covered by green houses while 46.75 ha planted with open field (summer) flowers.