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HortiFlora Expo 2026 to spotlight Ethiopia’s expanding horticulture industry. (Image credit: HPP Worldwide)

Event News

HortiFlora Expo 2026 will take place from 24 to 26 March 2026 at the Addis International Convention Center in Addis Ababa, bringing global attention to Ethiopia’s growing influence in the horticulture and floriculture industries.

The event aims to highlight the country’s role as a vibrant centre for horticulture in Africa, while welcoming growers, exporters, buyers and agribusiness professionals from across the world.

The expo is organised by HPP Exhibitions in partnership with the Ethiopian Horticulture Producers Exporters Association (EHPEA). This year’s edition reflects a broader vision for the sector, presenting not only flowers but also fruits, vegetables, seeds and a range of modern agricultural technologies. By widening its focus, the event seeks to mirror the expanding capabilities of Ethiopia’s agricultural landscape and the increasing diversity of its export products.

HortiFlora has long attracted strong international participation, and the 2026 edition is expected to continue that tradition. Industry representatives from Europe, the Middle East, Asia and across Africa will gather in Addis Ababa to explore trade opportunities and strengthen partnerships. The expo will provide an active meeting point for businesses through organised buyer and seller discussions, networking events and market exploration activities. A strong emphasis will be placed on product quality, traceability and dependable supply chains, factors that are becoming essential for global buyers.

Another important development is the event’s expanded scope and renewed annual rhythm. While floriculture remains a core strength of Ethiopia’s export sector, the inclusion of fruits and vegetables reflects the country’s increasing production and market reach in fresh produce. This shift signals a new phase for the expo as it supports economic growth and employment within the agricultural sector.

Ethiopia’s favourable climate and continuing investment in infrastructure have played a key role in the rapid progress of its horticulture industry. As the nation broadens its export portfolio, HortiFlora Expo 2026 stands as an important platform for international cooperation, knowledge exchange and the future development of sustainable horticulture.

Vaccine arrival strengthens South Africa’s fight against foot and mouth disease.

Livestock

South Africa has stepped up its response to Foot and mouth disease with the arrival of one million high potency vaccines at OR Tambo International Airport.

The shipment was received under the supervision of John Steenhuisen, Agriculture Minister marking a significant boost to the national vaccination drive already under way in affected regions.

The vaccines were supplied by Biogénesis Bagó in Argentina and form part of a broader supply programme. Further consignments are expected in the coming weeks from BVI in Botswana and Dollvet in Turkey. By the end of March, more than five million doses from these three international suppliers are set to arrive in the country.

At home, the Agricultural Research Council has committed to producing 20 000 vaccines per week, with plans to increase output to 200 000 per week in 2027. The expanded supply will allow authorities to move beyond targeted outbreak response and work towards wider suppression of the virus in high risk areas.

Steenhuisen said, “Vaccination has already begun in affected areas, but supply has limited the speed and coverage. With this arrival, we can now accelerate protection across priority provinces and stabilise the livestock sector.”

Outbreaks have been reported in every province, prompting quarantine measures, movement restrictions and ongoing surveillance. A risk based vaccination strategy will focus first on outbreak centres in KwaZulu Natal and parts of Gauteng, Free State and North West, before extending to other high risk and border regions.

The initial one million doses will be shared across all provinces, with KwaZulu Natal and Free State receiving the largest allocations. However, the minister warned that vaccines alone will not end the crisis.

“Quarantine rules, movement permits and biosecurity measures exist to protect every farmer in the country. Those who deliberately move animals illegally, conceal infections, or ignore restrictions threaten the recovery of the entire sector. Where there is wilful non compliance, we will work with law enforcement authorities and the full might of the law will be applied,” Steenhuisen added.

He will visit Mooi River in KwaZulu Natal on 27 February to vaccinate dairy cattle alongside veterinarians and farmers. “The dairy industry has been among the hardest hit with significant production losses, disrupted markets and immense strain on farming families. That visit marks the practical beginning of recovery at farm level. Each vaccinated herd means stability returning to a business, wages returning to workers and milk returning to shelves.”

“We are moving step by step from crisis management to control,” Minister Steenhuisen concluded. “Vaccines are arriving, the system is scaling up, and compliance will be enforced. Working together, we will stabilise the sector and rebuild confidence in South Africa’s animal health system.”

The Prime Minister of Mozambique, Benvinda Levi speaking during the International Women's Day celebrations in Maputo Mozambique. (Image credit: AGRA)

Agriculture

Across sub-Saharan Africa, women are not waiting on the sidelines of the farming revolution. They are in the thick of it, tilling the soil, leading cooperatives, and building agribusinesses that feed families and fortify economies.

Women make up nearly half of the continent's agrifood workforce, with more than three quarters of employed women working within these systems in some capacity. Yet despite doing so much of the heavy lifting, structural obstacles continue to block their path to finance, land, markets, and the tools they need to truly thrive.

To mark International Women's Day 2026, AGRA brought this conversation front and centre. Through its VALUE4HER initiative, the organisation convened women agripreneurs, policymakers, and development partners at the Joaquim Chissano International Centre in Maputo, Mozambique. The event served a dual purpose: honouring the women quietly transforming African agriculture, and officially opening applications for the 2026 VALUE4HER Women Agripreneurs of the Year Awards, known as WAYA.

The gathering was anchored by the theme "Give Agency to Gain Growth," a rallying call that spoke directly to what many women working in agrifood know all too well. The numbers make a compelling case for change. According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation, if women farmers had the same access to productive resources as men, their yields could increase by 20 to 30 per cent, potentially cutting global hunger by up to 17 per cent.

Alice Ruhweza,AGRA's President, said, "Women are not just participants in Africa's agrifood systems — they are innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders driving transformation across the value chain. Investing in women's agency, leadership, and access to opportunities unlocks growth not only for women-led businesses, but for Africa's food systems and economies."

Maria Benvinda Levy, Mozambique's Prime Minister, said, "The National Program for the Eradication of Poverty places the improvement of people's living conditions at the centre of our national agenda. It prioritises support for the most vulnerable, reduces social inequalities, and advances inclusive development across Mozambique. Women agripreneurs are central to this transformation, driving productivity, strengthening food systems, and expanding opportunity in our communities."

The WAYA Awards, launched in 2021, have grown into one of Africa's most respected platforms for recognising excellence in women-led agribusiness. Winners receive grants of up to USD 300,000 to scale their work. This year's awards will be presented in September at the Africa Food Systems Forum in Kigali, Rwanda. Applications close 8th May 2026, and are open to women-led agribusinesses across the continent.

Last year drew nearly 2,000 applicants from countries including Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda, Tanzania, and beyond. Their stories told of innovation in ag-tech, value addition, sustainable farming, and grassroots community leadership. This year promises to be no different.

Understanding the shifting landscape of global agriculture.

Technology

Global agriculture continues to expand, yet the agricultural machinery market is navigating a period of turbulence.

Economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions and shifting trade policies are reshaping where and how farm equipment is bought and sold. This evolving landscape was outlined during the press conference launching the 47th edition of EIMA International, the world’s leading exhibition for agricultural technologies, set to take place in Bologna from 10 to 14 November.

Mariateresa Maschio, FederUnacoma President, said, “Protectionist policies in some countries, economic sanctions, interference with trade routes, and tariff wars have led to market fragmentation and a sharp slowdown in trade which is weighing on the performance of the agromechanical sector.”

Traditional markets are feeling the strain. The United States recorded a 10 percent fall in tractor sales in 2025, while Germany, France and the United Kingdom also posted double digit declines. In contrast, southern Europe is showing renewed momentum. Italy and Spain both closed the year with strong growth, signalling cautious optimism within the European agricultural machinery industry.

India remains the standout performer. With tractor sales exceeding 1.1 million units, the country continues to dominate the global market. According to Maschio, this growth reflects deeper structural demand rather than a short term spike. “Over the past fifteen years, output in the primary sector has grown significantly,” said Mariateresa Maschio, “but to meet the needs of the world’s population it will have to grow by a further 14% by 2034, especially in India and in those countries of North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Middle East that are experiencing the highest demographic growth.”

A new geography of agricultural production is emerging, driven by mechanisation, digital farming solutions and expanding demand in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Chinese manufacturers are rapidly increasing their presence across these regions and even gaining ground in Europe.

“In the coming years we will have a highly segmented agromechanical sector, with low-cost basic technologies alongside highly advanced technologies for complex operations,” added Mariateresa Maschio, underlining the importance of innovation, policy support and international cooperation as the sector looks ahead.