In about a decade the Ethiopian flower industry has grown to become a major player in the international market. The Ethiopian flower industry has blossomed again on this years Valentine's Day.

Zelalem Messele, chairman of EHPEA, the Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association intone the importance of Valentine's Day for the Ethiopian flower industry, "It's one of the holidays the flower industry flourishes. And the production goes up by 30 to 40 percent and so the demand,”.

About three quarter of the country's flowers are destined to the European market. Ethiopian flower exports have been growing, in 2012 it was valued at more than $210 million. This year, the amount is expected to be more than double of the previous year.

More than half of the 90 Ethiopian flower farms are owned by foreign investors. The Ethiopian flower industry is growing at a staggering rate. Incentives in the form of tax break and loan availability and suitable environmental conditions has been attractive to foreign investors to establish there flower farms in Ethiopia.

Over 1,500 hectares in Ethiopia are allocated to flower farms. The fast-growing industry has directly created about 85,000 jobs. Ethiopia is currently second biggest African flower exporter.

Source: VOA