Ethiopia has called for increased investment in horticultural exports as it opened the 10th International Floriculture and Horticulture Trade Fair in the capital, Addis Ababa, highlighting the sector’s growing role in the country’s economy.
The three-day event, which began on Tuesday, has brought together more than 150 exhibitors from over 50 countries and regions, providing a platform to promote eco-friendly cultivation practices and strengthen global partnerships in the hortiflora industry.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Sofia Kassa, state minister for agricultural investment and input sector at the Ministry of Agriculture, said Ethiopia has emerged as one of the world’s leading producers of cut flowers. The sector generates more than US$500 million annually and ranks as Africa’s second-largest exporter.
“The Ethiopian floriculture sector has positioned the country among the leading flower exporters globally. It has become a major source of foreign exchange earnings,” Kassa said. She added that the industry supports hundreds of thousands of jobs, contributing to poverty reduction and inclusive development.
Despite this progress, officials say the country’s broader horticultural exports particularly fruits and vegetablesremain underdeveloped relative to their potential. Kassa called for increased investment to expand production and boost export revenues in these segments.
Nega Mequanint, chairman of the Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association, said the expo has convened a wide range of stakeholders, including producers, exporters, investors, policymakers and development partners.
“Over the past years, Ethiopia’s hortiflora sector has demonstrated resilience, adaptability and strong performance, positioning the country as a competitive and reliable player in the international floriculture market,” he said.
According to the association, the sector employs around 200,000 Ethiopians, the majority of whom are women and youth, making it a key driver of rural employment, income generation and skills development.
Horticulture is Ethiopia’s second-largest source of foreign exchange earnings within agriculture after coffee, generating approximately $565 million in export revenue during the fiscal year that ended on July 8, 2025. Authorities say expanding the sector is critical to diversifying export income and reducing reliance on traditional commodities.
The trade fair also features business-to-business matchmaking sessions and high-level forums addressing industry trends, including consumer preferences, food safety standards, sustainable finance and market developments in fruits and vegetables.
Participants say the event provides an opportunity to strengthen supply chains and explore new markets, particularly as global demand for sustainably produced agricultural goods continues to rise.
Ethiopia has in recent years invested heavily in its floriculture industry, leveraging favourable климат conditions, competitive labour costs and proximity to key export markets in Europe and the Middle East. The government is now seeking to replicate that success in other segments of horticulture.
Analysts note that scaling up exports of fruits and vegetables will require improvements in logistics, cold chain infrastructure and quality standards, as well as stronger links between producers and international buyers.
As the expo continues, policymakers and industry players are expected to outline strategies to unlock the sector’s full potential, positioning Ethiopia as a leading hub for horticultural production and export in Africa.
