Uganda: Ugandan Flowers Attract US Buyers

24-03-2006 Nearly two months after the first consignment of Ugandan flowers hit the US market, Ugandan producers are set to reap more in US exports, thanks to the just concluded World Floral Expo 2006, held in , from March 15 to 17. At the expo, that attracted over 30 US buyers and 142 companies that included growers and exporters, importers, distributors, breeders, transporters and packagers from around 20 countries including Uganda, American flower buyers indicated interest in Ugandan roses particularly because of their colour and bloom. Nearly two months after the first consignment of Ugandan flowers hit the US market, Ugandan producers are set to reap more in US exports, thanks to the just concluded World Floral Expo 2006, held in , from March 15 to 17. At the expo, that attracted over 30 US buyers and 142 companies that included growers and exporters, importers, distributors, breeders, transporters and packagers from around 20 countries including Uganda, American flower buyers indicated interest in Ugandan roses particularly because of their colour and bloom. "I think we can sell roses here. There is enormous potential, not only in Miami, but also in New York. I have already about 32 buyers that I can sell to at the moment and the number may go up," said Mr Keith Henderson, the Executive Director Uganda Flower Growers Association (UFEA). He also allayed fears by the importers that long distances between the US and Uganda would reduce the shelf life of the flowers. He also called on Ugandan producers to start preparing their farms to enter the US market,"he said. Ugandan companies that exhibited at the show include Rosebud Ltd owned by property mogul Mr Sudhir Ruparhelia and Pearl Flowers owned by another investor Mr Ragbhir SandhuBelflowers, J.H Floricultural growers, Jambo Roses, Melissa Flowers, Oasis Nurseries, Royal Van Zanten and Victoria Flowers. Uganda is already exporting roses to the US under the duty and quota free African Growth and Opportunity Act Initiative. Rosebud on January 31 sent the first consignment of over 500,000 hydroponics to the US through the Miami-based Orange Flower Connect Company. Rosebud produces Red Calypso flowers, Samoa, Trivoli, Chelsea, Revue and Marie Claire, while Pearl produces Safari, Frisco, Dream, Chelsea and Black Beauty. Ugandan producers could have made a breakthrough to the US markets but they still have to grapple with lack of government incentives, inconsistent production trends, scarce storage facilities and high freight charges that make Ugandan flowers less competitive. At the moment, exporters pay $2.09 per kg on a normal cargo flight, US 11 cents lower than the $2.20 per kg price tag on a passenger plane. Statistics indicate that in 2003, 5,000 metric tonnes were exported, amounting to $26m. In 2004, the figure rose to 6,300 metric tones worth $32m. It is anticipated that exports this year will be in excess of 7,200 metric tones, which will represent over $36 million. BRON