Ethiopia has earned more than 17.4 million USD from Valentine’s Day flower export, Ethiopian Horticulture Development Agency (EHDA) said.
The revenue was secured from the export of 195.6 million flower stems to the international market in this year’s Valentine’s Day celebration.
Unlike same time last year, the flower export during this year’s Valentine’s Day exceeded in quantity as well as in terms of revenue.
Last year’s Valentine’s Day celebration, the country earned 17.1 million USD from the sale of 187.7 million flower stems. The amount secured has been increased by more than 300,000 USD this year. This is due to the increasing demand for Ethiopian flowers regardless of the harsh weather condition witnessed in most of Europe.
The Netherlands, Norway, Germany, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Japan, UK, Italy, France and Lebanon were the first top ten recipients of Ethiopian flowers in the reported period.
Ethiopia is still enjoying an increased demand for its flowers in Europe, Asia, Middle East, Far East and other parts of the world. Thus, the Ethiopian Horticulture Development Agency has carried out market promotion activities to widen market opportunities.
With the intention of penetrating the American vast flower market, EHDA and the Ethiopian Horticulture Association in collaboration with Metropolitan Washington Air Ports Authority have been taking part in the International Floral Trade Exhibition in New York and Washington DC.
With regards to private investment in the sector, more than 110 local and foreign companies have already been engaged in the development of flowers, fruits, vegetables and herbs, according to the Agency.
The nation has secured 134 million USD from the horticulture industry sector over the past seven months in the current Ethiopian fiscal year. Flower export takes the lion’s share out of the stated amount of money generated.
Source: This news article was prepared and sent to 2merkato.com by Mekonnen Hailu, Ethiopian Horticulture Development Agency (EHDA)'s senior communication expert.
