UGANDA PROVIDES PERFECT CONDITIONS FOR CUT FLOWER PRODUCTION

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UGANDA PROVIDES PERFECT CONDITIONS FOR CUT FLOWER PRODUCTION

Uganda is often described as “the Pearl of Africa” but how much is really known about this country that is so ideal for cut flower production?

Uganda’s climate provides two rainy seasons per year so there is ample water for irrigation available all year round from lakes and swamps that never dry out, and even for lands away from the lake water can be found only a few feet below ground. Unlike Europe there is no heating cost for Uganda flower production and temperatures around Lake Victoria range from maximum 28 degrees Celsius daytime down to around 18 degrees at night. These are perfect conditions for the production of Gerbera, Anthuriums, sweetheart and intermediate Roses, and for cuttings production. Farther to the West in the higher land areas night temperatures drop to 12 degrees Celsius enabling large headed roses and a wider range of other cut flowers requiring cooler night temperatures to be grown. The soils in Uganda are also very fertile. Flower farms located near Lake Victoria around Kampala have a maximum 2-hour drive to Entebbe airport, and the higher lands in the West are only 5 hours drive away on good tarmac roads.

The cut flower industry in Uganda is now well established with 20 independent, experienced flower growers united by a strong flower exporters association (UFEA). The Association’s running costs are paid by the growers but UFEA is also very successful in obtaining outside funding for capacity building and industry development. UFEA’s programmes benefit the whole industry and are not biased towards one producer. Apart from being the central information point and engaging in its many training and capacity building programmes, UFEA also provides leadership when it comes to lobbying for a better enabling environment for industry growth, and this has assisted in the rapid expansion of the flower sector in Uganda.

From zero production 10 years ago Uganda exported 7,520 metric tonnes of flowers and cuttings in 2005, employs 6,000 people, and earned annual export revenue of US$35 million (2005 export figures). The value of the industry increased by 9% between 2004 and 2005.

Because export floriculture is now well established in Uganda it also has a well- established, dedicated infrastructure at the airport for cut flower cargo handling. Ample cool chain facilities are already available to handle the increasing volumes of cut flowers being shipped out of Entebbe and airfreight rates are on a par with Kenya, therefore regionally competitive.

The Government of Uganda strongly encourages export led growth and almost all inputs for flower farms are allowed in free of duty. The Uganda Government is stable and the security situation in Uganda is very good, especially around Kampala, Lake Victoria, and in the Western highlands. Potential investors should not be discouraged by reports of rebel activity on the northern border which has no effect whatsoever on the flower producing areas. There is plenty of land available for expanding existing farms and for setting up new farms. Foreign and local investors are made equally welcome in Uganda, and there are excellent schools available at all levels.

The Uganda National Floriculture Industry Strategy Plan calls for a doubling in size of the flower sector from its present 180 Ha to 360 Ha by 2007 when it is expected to be employing 10,000 people, contributing significantly to poverty eradication in Uganda, and bringing in annual export revenue to Uganda in excess of US$50 million. We now need more existing product from existing farm expansion, and to expand the range of flowers and cuttings for export in order to achieve economies of scale and minimise freight rates.

Investors from Holland and other European countries are being encouraged to come to Uganda and set up their flower farms here and interested parties should contact the UFEA Executive Director, and also the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) for more information as shown below:

Uganda Flower Exporters Association

Mr. Keith Henderson (Executive Director)

P.O.Box 29558

Kampala

Uganda.

Tel. +256-31-263320

Fax. +256-31-263321

Mob. +256-77-906198

E-mail: ufea@afsat.com or kthhend@yahoo.co.uk

Website: www.ufea.com