Flower Industry at a Boom in African countries generating huge business

The Flower Industry in Africa mainly in Kenya and Ethiopia is the fastest growing sector of the economy of Africa. It ranks fourth in significance to the nation’s export table after tea, coffee and tourism.

Africa’s flower business flourishing at a very high rate, especially on occasions such as Christmas, Mothers day, Fathers day and Valentine day. Flower Industry in Africa generating huge business and top on the list being Kenya and other countries includes Zimbabwe, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda.

Kenya’s involvement in flower trade had its beginning soon after the end of Second World War where it was started by retired British army officers on a small-scale. Kenya is not only the leading flower exporter in Africa but has also caught up with Israel and Colombia being one of the fastest growing international flower production regions.

The Flower business in Kenya is gifted and one of the promising sectors in Africa in terms of foreign exchange earnings and employment creation. This business employs approximately 50,000 people in Kenya and Uganda to earn their livelihood. Women in Africa especially gained momentum from supplying between 65-75 percent of the total labor force.

African countries has an advanced prospective for flower production which should be extended by Africans themselves. It also has good climatic conditions encouraging for growing flowers round the year in which India is short of.

The growth rate of the flower industry in Ethiopia is also increasing incredibly due to their agro-climatic conditions, business friendly environment and also the strong government support.

Ethiopia exports around 70 tons of flowers daily and employs approximately around 30,000 people out of the population. Because of the boom in the flower business in Ethiopia, it is even believed that one day flower business could overtake coffee.
The major reason of the India companies still in existence because India has improved the quality of their flowers.

All those flower producers who are interested in exporting flower from Africa to India, it falls under the responsibility of the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Affairs.