The Ethiopian flower industry is flourishing, with the help of government incentives and low labor costs.
The country is now the second-largest flower exporter in Africa, with over 100 flower growers on 1,700 hectares (17, 000, 000 square meters or 182,986,477 square feet).
“We are now second in Africa only to Kenya, and we expect to overtake them soon,” Berhanu Ludamo, Promotion and Information Service Head of Ethiopian Horticulture Producers Exporters Association said.
“Ethiopia earned $250 million from horticulture export in 2014. The amount is expected to increase this year due to the expansion of horticulture farms.” Berhanu said. The area will grow to 3,000 hectares Fontana Flowers will begin operation of its horticulture farm in Ethiopia at the cost of 11 million dollars.
The company has leased a 100 ha land at Wenjeta and Wegelta kebeles 20 Km from Bahir Dar in the Amhara Regional State. Currently Fontana, which has hired 1,300 employees, is clearing land for growing roses and for warehouse construction. The company will exclusively grow different cut rose varieties. It will first start growing on 65 ha, with a target revenue of 95.9 million US$ a year.