Addis Ababa, November 4, 2009 – The Ethiopian Horticulture Development Agency said packaging that can withstand the adverse conditions on the flower supply chain is vital in maintaining quality and fetching the prices the growers deserve.
Opening a Workshop for Cut Flower Growers and Corrugated Board Manufacturers here on Tuesday, Agency Director, Hailesilassie Tekie said as packaging increases the value of the products, packaging business is also an important business in the horticulture sector.
The stiff competition in the horticulture market demands the fulfillment of the standards set along the supply chain in the industry where packaging is part and parcel.
The director said the type of flower packaging boxes in Ethiopia do not meet the required packaging level of the international market. Some 50 percent of the total flower product the country export to foreign countries is losing the proper price due to packaging problems.
Accordingly, he said the workshop organized jointly by the Agency and International Trade Centre (ITC) is aiming at enabling Ethiopian flower producers to implement best packaging standards to the development of the horticulture industry.
ITC Consultant in Indian Institute of Packaging, B.K Karna told journalists that though tremendous achievements have been achieved in horticulture sector, a lot is still remained to be done to supply quality flowers to the international market.
He said there is a need to train all managers and stakeholders in the sector with a view to improving the performance of the packages, handling and shipping of Ethiopian flowers.
The consultant stressed the need of utilizing indigenous packaging products. Every stakeholder in the sector has been striving to develop the sector, he said.
He expressed hopes that the packaging of flowers in Ethiopia will meet the international standard shortly.
Relevant topics including packaging improvements of Ethiopian Cut Flowers, critical factors for the packaging of Roses, packaging handling and shipping Ethiopian flowers, compliance with the demand of packaging users: constraints and developments and transportation and distribution packaging will be discussed as apart of the two-day workshop. (ENA)
