The Uganda Flowers & Exporters Association (UFEA)
Telephone : +256 (312) - 263321 /
Mobile : +256 772 906 198
Email : ed@ufea.co.ug / ufea@ufea.co.ug Web: www.ufea.co.ug
Location : Plot 92 Ssebugwawo Drive, Old Airport Entebbe Address : P.O. Box 29558 Kampala Contact Person : Juliet Musoke, Executive Director The Uganda Flowers Exporters Association (UFEA), a non profit organization was established in 1993 as an umbrella organization bringing together growers and exporters of flowers in Uganda. UFEA provides business development services to its members and it is through the Association that efforts to influence government policies that affect the industry are lobbied and advocated for. ![]() UFEA: Uganda flower farmers facing tough times as exports and earnings drop Uganda's floriculture is experiencing a drastic drop in sales due to increasing competition and an export ban by the European Union.The information from the Uganda Flower Exporters Association (UFEA) -- an umbrella body of 15 companies -- shows that the rose segment of the sub-sector is the most affected. Uganda's floriculture exports mainly comprise roses and chrysanthemum cuttings. UFEA statistics show that, Uganda exported 6,810 tonnes of flowers, down from the 7,364 tonnes recorded -- an 8.1 per cent drop.During this period, the revenue earned from the exports went down by 18.8 per cent; the country realised $46 million, and this figure was down to $38.7 million.This is worrying for a sub-sector that directly employs over 8,500 people, 80 per cent of them women.Olav Boenders, managing director of Wagagai Ltd, the leading producers of cuttings, said, "The rose segment is in dire straits. The strong dollar and the lower rose prices in Europe are making it very difficult to grow roses in Uganda." Read more ▪ ![]() UFEA: Flower exports record growth Uganda’s flower industry is regaining its export volumes thanks to a 4.8 per cent and 2.4 per cent increment in volumes and value, respectively.Data from the Uganda Flowers Exporters Association (Ufea), show the country exported 6.7 million Kilogrammes (6,773 tonnes), up from 6.4 million kilogrammes (6,444 tonnes).In an interview with Prosper, Ufea executive director Juliet Musoke explains: “We estimate the export sales at $37.2 million, up from $36.3 million.” “This performance showed a 2.4 per cent increment, and we have been seeing a steady growth which saw the lowest volume and sales,” Ms Musoke added. Read more ▪ High energy costs, especially of electricity and diesel, have made the flower industry uncompetitive in the region.Experts in the industry fear that if authorities do not come to their rescue, the industry is doomed for a setback yet it had recovered since the global economic crisis .Ms Julie Musoke, the executive director of Uganda Flowers Exporters Association (Ufea), notes: “We are still using generators for more than 40 per cent of the time – at a cost of Shs15 million to Shs30 million a month.”The cost of diesel has increased by more than 55 per cent. A litre cost Shs1,680 and now, it costs Shs3,400. The prevailing price fluctuations, she said, have seen them incur high electricity bills, spending an average amount of between Shs20 million to Shs25 million monthly. Read more ▪ UFEA: Flower exports record growth Uganda’s flower industry is regaining its export volumes thanks to a 4.8 per cent and 2.4 per cent increment in volumes and value, respectively by the end of 2013.Data from the Uganda Flowers Exporters Association (Ufea), show the country last year exported 6.7 million Kilogrammes (6,773 tonnes), up from 6.4 million kilogrammes (6,444 tonnes) in 2012.In an interview with Prosper, Ufea executive director Juliet Musoke explains: “We estimate the export sales for 2013 at $37.2 million, up from $36.3 million for 2012.” “This performance showed a 2.4 per cent increment, and we have been seeing a steady growth since 2010 which saw the lowest volume and sales since 2006,” Ms Musoke added. Read more ▪ |