Ethiopia has exported worth $400 million horticulture during the first nine months of the current budget year of Ethiopia, which began July 8, 2019.
This is indicated by the Ministry of Agriculture Horticulture support Director Mekonnen Solomon, who spoke to the state day, The Ethiopian herald. Currently some 60 percent of the flower growers in Ethiopia are engaged in export, which was initially affected by the global pandemic, according to Mr. Mekonnen.
The previous budget year ended July 7, 2019, Ethiopia has earned $318 million from horticulture exports out of which $60 million was generated from flower, according to offcial government reports.
Recently, Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Tewolde GebreMariam stated that Ethiopia’s flower export is growing amid COVID-19.
Presenting Ethiopian Airlines activities report to the national COVID-19 response committee led by Prime Minister Abiy, Mr. Tewolde indicated that the fact that Kenya, the top flower exporter in Africa, was unable to export its flowers because many airlines, which used to transport the flower have suspended their operations.
Following the decline of passenger floghts after the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, Ethiopian Airlines was focusing on cargo services.It has recently announced converting its several passenger airplanes into cargo planes.
In addition to flower, meat export of Ethiopia to the Middle East countries s also showing improvement following the holly month of Ramadan, according to Mr. Tewolde. The Ministry of trade and Industry of Ethiopia is expected to officially release the nine month export report of Ethiopia in the coming few days.
The horticulture industry currently occupies 10,897.21 hectares of land creating employment for 199,640 Ethiopians, according to the information from Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association.
“The sector is the fourth largest contributor of export income for the country in US$ 307.04 million in the year 2017/18. Floriculture contributes much of the share in around 79% while the expanding vegetable, fruits, and herbs have 21% share of the revenue,” the Association stated.