Flower exporters are bracing for stricter phytosanitary rules as the EU increases health checks on Ethiopia's rose shipments starting next May.
According to the Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association (EHPEA), authorities will ramp up inspections from five percent to 25 percent. This comes after the European Food Safety Authority flagged the false codling moth pest risk in cut flower imports.
EHPEA disclosed that all Ethiopian rose growers must now adhere to integrated pest management protocols, boost farm capacity and apply systematic false codling moth controls.
The Association emphasized there will be rigorous inspections at both farm sites and Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa.
Ethiopia earns over 400 million dollars annually from cut flower exports. Norway and Germany are major destinations in Europe, with over 700 million dollars targeted for the current 2023/24 fiscal year. The industry supports thousands of jobs and livelihoods.
While boosting safeguards, the higher screening rates raise doubts over supply capacity. Processors are holding their breath as Ethiopian authorities tries to balance pest control and important trade ties.