Uganda’s leading flower exporter Rosebud Ltd has vowed to increase production to meet the growing demand from across the world.
The Managing Director Mr Rajiv Ruparelia announced on Friday, August 6 that the company has already secured an international Fair-trade certification, a move to boost its flowers production open to all major flower markets across the world.
“We now have international certification meaning Uganda now exports quality flowers to major markets. We have also attained fair trade standards which means we sell at good values which benefits the country and our workforce” Rajiv said.
‘The market abroad is very big. Even if we increase the acreage of our farms, we will not satisfy the entire market. This means we need to increase productivity using good farm practices that we have used for many years. If you work hard, we shall all benefit as a family, he added.
The Fairtrade Certificates accreditation means Rosebud can now sell its flowers in all international markets making the flowers too competitive on the world market.
Mr. Rajiv further called for unity and hard work emphasizing the need to amicably address any disagreements that may arise.
“We are a family and trust me, your interest is our interest too. We are all in this together to ensure your livelihoods are improved…That you can take your children to school and have a good life. So let’s work hard together to achieve together,” he implored them.
Flower exports have largely recovered from a massive decline, registering a sh6.6b growth in February, according to data from the Bank of Uganda (BoU). The industry had been threatened by a massive reduction in export volumes and revenues at the height of the Covid-19 lockdown last year but it has progressively recovered to near pre-pandemic levels.
The improvement has been attributed to several factors, among which include, increased cargo flights in and out of Uganda. In February, according to the Bank of Uganda, more than 790 tonnes of flowers were shipped out of the country compared to 511 tonnes in January.
Rosebud alone which started on farmland worth 13 hectares has now grown to over 60 hectares under greenhouses and employing over 1,500 staff.