Following the success of the previous training activities and upon request of the Ethiopian flower sector, CBI organised four Master Classes as a key activity of CBI’s 2009 floricultural training programme in Ethiopia. The programme was developed in close cooperation with EHPEA and focused on different aspects of flower export marketing.
In the course of the Master Class training series, participants wrote a concise export marketing plan. The structure of the export marketing plan was used as the framework for the special topics covered in the training programme: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), post-harvest and logistical requirements, market research in the flower business, getting the best price on the auction, and internal and external communication and client orientation. Read more »
Date: Monday, December 7, 2009
Categories: Cut Flowers, Ethiopia, ProVerde projects, Training
Below you find a selection of photos of the fourth Master Class Flower Export that was held last Thursday 3 and Friday 4 December in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The training activity was organised as part of the CBI/EHPEA training programme for flower exporters in Ethiopia.
Read more »
Date: Thursday, November 19, 2009
Categories: Cut Flowers, Ethiopia, ProVerde projects, Training
On Thursday 3 and Friday 4 December, the fourth and final Master Class Flower Export 2009 will be held in the Global Hotel in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
During the training, participants will finalise their work on their individual Export Marketing Plan (the last segments being the action plan and management responsibilities). We will also look into a number of internal communication related subjects like vertical and horizontals communication lines in the farm and change management.
A full block will be used to look into the subject “How to choose the right varieties”. An average rose plant economically produces flowers for about 3 to 5 years. Then the mother plant will be uprooted and replaced. Choosing varieties is one of the critical strategic choices a (rose) grower has to make. The choice depends both on production and market criteria and should be in line with the overall identified marketing strategy. During the training session, important criteria for variety selection are discussed (production vs. market issues). Participants are shown how Product Life Cycle (PLC) analysis can be used as a tool to assist them in choosing the right variety. A number of case studies have been prepared to bring the theory of PLC analysis into practice.
Date: Friday, October 2, 2009
Categories: Ethiopia
The trade companies of the Dutch Flower Group (DFG) have nominated ten growers for the Dutch Flower Award 2009, amongst which an Ethiopian lily and Costa Rican foliage farm. The award will be handed out on Thursday, October 15th during the FloraHolland Trade Fair in Aalsmeer (formerly known as the Aalsmeer Market). Read more »
Date: Monday, September 28, 2009
Categories: Ethiopia, News
Authorities at the state-owned Development Bank of Ethiopia have begun contemplating rescheduling the debt repayment period of flower farms based on the farms’ current performance.The current new thinking of the authorities is an outcome of DBE’s credit team’s assessment of the flower farms, a top official of the bank told Capital.
Read more »
Date: Saturday, September 26, 2009
Categories: Cut Flowers, Ethiopia, ProVerde projects, Training
Below you find a selection of photos of the third Master Class Flower Export and the Workshop External and Internal Customer Orientation. Both training activities were organised as part of the CBI/EHPEA training programme for flower exporters in Ethiopia.
Date: Friday, September 11, 2009
Categories: Ethiopia
New technology for Ethiopian horticulture producers and exporters was introduced during the workshop at the Hilton Hotel on Thursday, September 3 by Australian company, Peakfresh Pty Ltd.
Read more »
Date: Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Categories: Ethiopia, Kenya, Market research
Recently published trade data (Eurostat) covering the year 2008 shows that The Netherlands remains the leading gateway for flowers from a number of different developing countries. Nevertheless, one leading supplying country can be recognised: Kenya. Imports from Kenya increased by 13% annually between 2004 and 2008, while imports from Ecuador increased by 20% annually during this period. Imports from Colombia and Tanzania showed significant increases as well. However, the most notable performance was that of Ethiopia. Imports from Ethiopia increased by 193% annually, with imports amounting to € 63 million in 2008. Only four years before, the imports from this country were still negligible. In contrast, imports from Zimbabwe decreased by 18% annually during the review period, due to the unstable economic and political situation.
Source: ProVerde, Eurostat
Date: Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Categories: Ethiopia
The board of the Ethiopian Horticultural Producer Exporters Association (EHPEA) had been handling complaints regarding the packaging quality both from exporters and from its buyers in Europe, Asia and Far East.
A while ago, the Association requested the Centre for Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries (CBI) to sponsor a study to resolve the packaging problem. CBI accepted the request and brought along the International Trade Centre (ITC), an institution which offers technical assistance to develop exports from developing and transitional economies.
CBI and ITC are using their own consultants and spending 50,000 to 70,000 Euros for this study which is expected to improve the packaging of the flowers. The study initiated by the two institutions is now in its second phase. The first was completed in July 2009. The new phase of the study, which will be completed in October 2009, is involved in the practical aspects of packaging.
For more information see the article on allAfrica.com
Date: Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Categories: Cut Flowers, Ethiopia, ProVerde projects, Training
Besides the four workshops of the Master Class Flower Export, we also organise a general introductory seminar for flower growers in Ethiopia. This seminar on “Internal and external customer orrientation will be held on 21 and 22 September in Addis Ababa. Ethiopian exporters that are interested can request more information via EHPEA.
Seminar “Internal and external customer orientation” (2 days)
• European market channels and requirements.
• Understanding customer requirements.
• How to implement and strengthen a market oriented approach inside the participating farms.
• Auction game.
After the training, participants are informed about present market conditions and developments. They are able to translate and implement market information, client expectations and feedback to the different levels in the organisation: Analysis – Interpret – Action planning
Target group: export managers / farm managers and production managers
CBI consultants: Maarten van Schie, Milco Rikken
