The Ethiopian horticulture sector has encountered a significant drop in foreign exchange earnings this year, with a decline of USD 123 million compared to last year, as stated by Minister of Agriculture Girma Amente.
This year, the sector’s exports totaled USD 535 million, down from USD 658 million the previous year. Although it is the second-largest contributor to foreign exchange earnings after coffee, the horticulture industry is facing a range of challenges.
To address these difficulties, a national guideline for the Ethiopian horticulture sector is being developed. Within the sector, flower exports are the most lucrative, while fruit exports have brought in less than USD 100 million. Despite Ethiopia’s vast potential in horticulture, the sector is hindered by insufficient financial investment, poor infrastructure, and a lack of market intelligence. Furthermore, delays in land allocation to developers in various regions are also obstructing growth.
The Ministry of Agriculture has set an ambitious goal of generating USD 741.8 million in the current fiscal year from the export of 351,030,031.71 kg of flowers, vegetables, and fruits.
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