The Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association (EHPEA) is proud to be part of a remarkable initiative aimed at creating a greener future for our beloved country. As part of Ethiopia’s ambitious goal to plant 700 million seedlings in a single day, our dedicated board members and management team have come together to take action!
Today, we enthusiastically joined the call from the Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC) and rolled up our sleeves to plant tree seedlings in the Furi area of Sheger city. This effort is not just about planting; it’s about contributing to the global movement for environmental protection and sustainability.
As we are promoting the Ethiopian Horticulture sector, we urge to amplify the incredible impact of Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative even further by incorporating every tree planted didn’t just green our landscapes, but also filled our homes with fresh, nutritious food.
By strategically incorporating fruit trees into our planting efforts, we can boost food security, create new economic opportunities for communities, and nourish families for generations to come. This isn’t just about planting trees; it’s about cultivating a healthier, more prosperous Ethiopia for all!
Ethiopia’s horticulture sector continues to shine on the global stage, generating an impressive $564.89 million USD in export revenue over the past fiscal year!
This impressive achievement highlights the increasing global demand for Ethiopian-grown flowers, cuttings, fruits, vegetables, and herbs, celebrated for their high quality and sustainable cultivation practices.
The sector’s consistent growth is driven by the unwavering commitment of producers, rising production volumes, and the strong synergy between farms and the Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association (EHPEA).
EHPEA’s proactive role in addressing sector-wide challenges through close collaboration with the government, private sector, and international stakeholders, has been instrumental in advancing the industry and unlocking new market opportunities.
Key drivers of this success include:
• Adoption of modern farming technologies and climate-smart practices
• Enhanced compliance with international standards and certifications
• Improved market access
As Ethiopia continues to strengthen its position as a major horticulture exporter, this milestone serves as a strong indicator of the sector’s potential to contribute to job creation, rural development, and economic growth.
Congratulations to all the hardworking farmers, exporters, and stakeholders driving this success!
Members of House of People’s Representatives (HoPR), Standing Committee on Plan, Budget, and Finance Affairs have paid a visit to the environmental performance of floriculture farms in Bishoftu cluster today. The committee reviewed the progress achieved after it sets direction in May this year.
The committee members lauded farms that implemented environmental friendly and state-of-the-art technology to reduce pesticide application and also to expedite the composting process of green waste in the farms. They have also expressed the need to pay utmost attention to correct those farms that failed to comply with local and international legislations.
The committee members also expressed their readiness to contribute to the creation of better enabling environment for the smooth functioning of the industry.
Dr. Meles Mekonnen, State Minister of Ministry of Agriculture on his part stated that the concerted efforts of Ministry of Agriculture, Environmental Protection Authority, Ethiopian Agriculture Authority and EHPEA have addressed the previous concerns of the committee. He went on to say that the direction set by the committee is implemented by the coordinated efforts of the pertinent institutions. Accordingly to him, noticeable achievements are scored with regard to environmental compliance to ensure sustainability.
Ambassador Deriba Kuma, Director General of Ethiopian Agricultural Authority, underscored that his authority is strictly enforcing measures with regard to environmental compliance associated with chemicals, fertilizers, bio-pesticides management and disposal so as to ensure the safety of workers, surrounding community and the environment at large. According to Ambassador Deriba, the inspection conducted by his authority shows promising progress as far as environmental management issues of the farms is concerned.
Tewodros Zewdie, Executive Director of Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association on his part explained in detail with regard to interventions by the industry meant to address sustainability issues including , among others, construction of used water treatment plants, development of national standard for horticulture effluent, the expansion of biological control agents application, turning of green waste in to compost. He also briefed the MPs about the current challenges of the industry.
Ethiopian House of People’s Representatives (HoPR) Standing Committee on Plan, Budget, and Finance plays a pivotal crucial in reviewing the government’s financial cycle, including the national budget, its implementation, and related legislation. It also examines the performance audit of institutions.
We are thrilled to announce that at the recent launch of the National Horticulture Strategy, our Board Chairman, Ato. Nega Mequanint, was honored with a Recognition Award from the Ministry of Agriculture! This award recognizes EHPEA’s unwavering collaboration in shaping this pivotal national strategy.
This achievement highlights our dedicated commitment to nurturing the horticulture sector, and we are excited to align with the critical pillars of the strategy as we work towards a prosperous future for our industry.
The event also featured a vibrant showcase of the incredible bounty produced by our members, adding a splash of color and celebrating the diversity of Ethiopian horticulture. Together, we are cultivating a brighter tomorrow!
Today marks a pivotal moment for Ethiopia’s agricultural sector with the official launch of the 10-Year National Horticulture Strategy and Enset Development Flagship. The event, is being held at the Skylight Hotel, brought together esteemed higher government officials and key stakeholders to unveil a strategic roadmap poised to revolutionize horticulture and enset farming nationwide.
This comprehensive strategy is designed to significantly enhance food and nutrition security, drive export diversification, facilitate import substitution, and provide essential raw materials for agro-processing. Furthermore, it aims to stimulate infrastructure development, improve productivity, and create sustainable job opportunities across Ethiopia.
Spearheaded by the Ministry of Agriculture, this ambitious initiative is a testament to the dedicated collaboration with a wide array of partners. Key contributors include the Ethiopian Horticulture Producers and Exporters Association (EHPEA), the Agricultural Transformation Agency (ATA), Ethiopian Agricultural Authority, SNV, RTI, American State Department and many other valuable organizations.
With the collective efforts of all stakeholders, Ethiopia is set to elevate its horticulture sector, empower farmers, and significantly contribute to the nation’s economic prosperity.
Stay tuned for further updates on the outcomes of today’s launch and the transformative initiatives that will follow.
EHPEA held a Global G.A.P certification training for 25 horticulture experts on July 8-9, 2025, at the beautiful Rahnile Hotel in Bahir Dar.
Our participants, representing commercial fruit and vegetable farms, Selam Fruit and Vegetable Cooperative, the Koga Irrigation Project, and government horticulture experts from North Gojjam zone and local agricultural offices, immersed themselves in essential practices for improving quality and sustainability in horticulture.
This training is a significant step towards enhancing the capabilities of smallholder fruit and vegetable producers and cooperatives, ultimately preparing them for the export market.
Together, we are cultivating a brighter future for our Horticulture community!
We’re excited to share a remarkable story of innovation and growth at Fri-El Ethiopia Farming and Processing PLC., an Italian company that has been making waves in the agricultural sector since its establishment in 2007. Fri-El is dedicated to transforming the landscape of banana production in the Omorate region.
With an impressive 10,000 hectares of land, Fri-El has already developed around 3,000 hectares of fertile land, harnessing the potential of Ethiopia’s rich agricultural resources. But the journey doesn’t stop there!
What truly sets Fri-El apart is its innovative approach to harvesting bananas on 1400heactars, utilizing cutting-edge cable car technology covering 20km. This approach revolutionized the efficiency of banana harvesting, ensuring that the process is not only effective but also sustainable. This unique method allows for quick and safe transportation of the bananas from the fields to processing centers, significantly boosting productivity.
Fri-El is committed to the community, creating over 3,000 jobs and contributing to local economic growth. Currently, they’re exporting 200 tons of bananas to Dubai weekly, while serving the local market, showcasing a perfect blend of local production and global demand.
We continue our journey to visit and discuss with our member farms in South Ethiopia Regional State and had the privilege of visiting Lucy Farm in Arba Minch, Land of Peace and Wisdom, the hub of banana production in Ethiopia.
Lucy farm is undertaking its farming operation on 1,500 hectare out of which they produce banana on 410 hectare, mango on 82 hectare, maize on 215 hectare and they produce water melon, pepper, tomato, casava and cotton on the rest of the land.
We have discussed on potential areas of cooperation and fine-tuning the service provision of EHPEA to expedite the HORTI-REVOLUTION in Ethiopia.
We are proud to witness the remarkable progress at VegBox Horticulture Farm which is engaged in the sustainable farming of papaya, passion fruit, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, sweet corn, chilly, cabbage, water melon and mango and avocado. The farm is operational on 300 hectare in Mancha, Wolaita, South Ethiopia Regional State.
The farm has managed to harness exceptional community respect and solid partnership. It is also executing demand driven Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities including construction of water canal that stretch 13 kilo meters, 10 kilometer all weather feeder road construction and building of school and running the school operation, among others. It is also working on contract farming with Small Holder Farmers in the surrounding area of the farm.
We are impressed with the model and perseverance of the farm owner and management to reach to this level irrespective of some challenges in infrastructure.
Proactively structured support schemes are pivotal to such type of initiatives to bring HORTI-REVOLUTION in Ethiopia.
Today, the Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association (EHPEA) had the pleasure of visiting one of our esteemed member farms, Klaver Flowers, located in Hawassa, Sidama Region.
The EHPEA team was impressed by the farm’s remarkable progress, including its recent acquisition of 50 additional hectares of land for expansion.
Klaver Flowers is renowned for cultivating high-quality summer flowers and supplying a diverse range of products, Gypsophila, Limonium, Craspedia, and Molucella—to the European market year-round. With a dedicated team in both the Netherlands and Ethiopia, the farm manages the entire value chain with care and expertise, from bulb, seed, or cutting to final bloom.
Currently, Klaver operates on 118 hectares, with 90 hectares under active production, exporting more than 60 million stems annually. The farm also plays a significant role in local economic development by providing employment opportunities to approximately 2150 people.
At EHPEA, we are proud to witness Klaver Flowers’ continued growth and success in Ethiopia’s thriving horticulture sector. We look forward to supporting their efforts and celebrating more milestones together.
Contact Info
Location : Micky Leyland Avenue on the Road to Atlas Hotel, NB Business Center; 6th floor; Room #603 Phone : +251 11 6636750 P.O.Box: 22241 Code 1000 Email: info@ehpea.org
