Zambian flower exports set to soar?

Floriculture is one of the fastest growing export industries in Zambia. The industry was dormant until the late 1980's at which time the Zambian government began to liberalize the economy giving capacity to private entrepreneurs and easing import and export restrictions. It was during the same period that the government embarked on a serious diversification from reliance on copper and other minerals to what is popularly known as non-traditional exports, floriculture included.

Zambia's floriculture industry is dominated by production of roses which account for 95% of the industry while the other 5% covers summer flowers such as atriplex, amaranthus, Ammi majus, euphorbia, hypericum, bupleurium, rudbeckia. The Zambian floriculture industry employs well over 12,000 people and, in the 2000/2001 season, 9,928 tonnes of fresh produce were exported thereby contributing US$68.5 million to the national economy.

The area currently under flower production in Zambia is 195 hectares with rose flowers taking up 145 hectares. Almost all of the flowers and flower products are sold to European markets with the Dutch auctions taking up more than 98% of the roses, especially in the European winter when local production ceases. Sixty varieties of roses are grown in Zambia among them Arifa, Astra, Arabia, Baronesse, Blue Curiosa, Calibra, Chelsea, Circus, Cream prophyta, Dani, Dream, Duo unique, Enigma, Escada, Fashion, Femma.

Five years ago, in order to boost floriculture production, the Zambian Government, in conjunction with export growers, set up the NRDC/ZEGA Training Trust. Through this Trust, the Zambia Export Growers' Association and the Government are educating farmers on the safe use of agricultural chemicals, how to work with pesticides and herbicides, personal and consumer safety. There is great emphasis put on environmental and social aspects of production. This is especially important because most Zambian produce ends up in European markets where, according to Trust Executive Director, Robert Bush, "Consumers are becoming increasingly and socially conscious of unsafe production techniques. They want to buy products from responsible growers with respect for the environment and work force".

Zambian floriculture must always strive to meet standards set by European markets because at home, according to one of the growers, "There is a small local market but it is very limited and returns are very low". Other than lack of a supportive market at home, the industry has to contend with high costs of freight as the growers have, according to Robert Bush, "Limited bargaining power because of the small quantities exported at a time". Exchange rates in the countries of export have also impacted negatively on floriculture in Zambia, as the currencies in which the money is paid are not dollar denominated. And despite the existence of the Training Trust mentioned above, the industry still lacks well trained manpower. The situation has not been helped by weather conditions that have made the growing of flowers throughout the year difficult.

Despite the hurdles that the industry has to overcome, those in the industry, together with the Zambian Government, are determined to help the industry soar like the national symbol of pride, the eagle.

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