The horticulture sector of Ethiopia generated more than 185 million USD in the first 8 months of the current fiscal year. This is 17 percent higher when compared to the same period from the previous year’s performance.

The biggest share of the money earned goes to cut flower export to Europe. It generated over 150 million USD in the 8 months.

Vegetables export, on the other hand, earned 30 million USD while fruits export generated 3.6 million USD, Alem Woldegerima, Director General of Ethiopian Horticulture Development Agency explained.

Even if the sector’s revenue has increased when compared to last year’s performance, Alem said the Agency wA working with state bureaus and other stakeholders in the aim of increasing the capacity of revenue generation. This includes various support and follow up activities on investors engaged in the sector.

He also explained limitations in providing land and low appetite in the global market as the drawback for the sector’s performance.

The Director General added it was possible to attract new entrants to the sector by providing plots of land furnished with required infrastructures.

For the future, the Agency is aiming to increase provision of land, establish integrated work between federal and states and do follow up and supervision activities.

Source: Walta Information center