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HortiFlora is transitioning from a biennial to an annual event. (Image credit: HotiFlora)

Event News

Growing global interest pushes HortiFlora to annual schedule

Following the success of its 2025 edition, HortiFlora is transitioning from a biennial to an annual event

The decision reflects the growing international interest and expanding role of Ethiopia in the global horticultural industry. According to Dick Van Raamsdonk of HPP Worldwide, “Given the increasing international interest and significance of the event, HortiFlora will now have a transition from a biennial trade show to an annual one.”

This year’s trade show, held in Addis Ababa from April 1st to 3rd, saw a record turnout and a noticeable international presence, especially from the Middle East. Van Raamsdonk expressed his satisfaction, saying, “It was a highly successful event, featuring a record-breaking 140 exhibitors, stunning stands, and a consistent flow of visitors, including a strong international presence, particularly from the Middle East.”

For the first time, the event showcased not just flowers but also fruits and vegetables, which marked a significant development for the show. “The inclusion of fruit and vegetable growers alongside the traditional floral exhibitors significantly expanded the event’s scope.” This broader focus reflects the growing importance of Ethiopia’s horticultural sector, which now includes a wide variety of fresh produce.

The move to an annual schedule is expected to benefit the industry in several ways. As Van Raamsdonk said, “With Ethiopia’s rising production of fresh flowers, fruits, and vegetables, an annual event will further strengthen the country’s export potential, stimulate its economy, and foster continued growth in the horticultural sector’s employment.”

Organised in close cooperation with the Ethiopian Horticulture Producers Exporters Association (EHPEA), HortiFlora has seen steady growth over the past 20 years. The next edition is already set for March 24-26, 2026, again in Addis Ababa, and is expected to attract even more participants as the show continues to gain traction globally.

By becoming an annual event, HortiFlora is positioning itself as a key platform for international trade, innovation, and collaboration in one of Africa’s fastest-growing agricultural sectors.

South Africa’s poultry master plan needs urgent action.

Poultry

South Africa’s poultry master plan needs urgent action

In 2019, South Africa’s Poultry Sector Master Plan (PSMP) was launched with bold ambitions: to protect the industry from dumped imports, boost local production, grow exports, create jobs, and expand black ownership.

Six years later, while the vision still resonates, the momentum behind it is fading.

The PSMP was designed as a joint public–private effort to rebuild the country’s broiler value chain, which had suffered years of damage from unfair trade. It focused on five key pillars: enforcing trade remedies, stimulating local demand and production, expanding exports, supporting transformation, and improving governance through a dedicated oversight council.

In its early phase, the plan showed real promise. The poultry industry responded quickly, committing over R2.2 billion in new investments — surpassing the initial R1.5 billion target. Trade measures, supported by bird flu outbreaks abroad, began to reduce dumped imports, offering local producers some relief.

Major producers expanded operations, onboarded contract growers, and created jobs. Emerging farmers were integrated into formal value chains through offtake agreements, marking visible progress in transformation. These developments proved that when government and industry worked in sync, results followed.

But since the last election, progress has stalled. Responsibility for the PSMP was shifted to deputy ministers, and political attention drifted. While government leaders, including Gauteng MEC Ramokgopa and Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen, have reaffirmed their commitment — citing new financial packages, bird flu vaccination plans, and improved cold chains — much of it remains on paper.

Exports, a cornerstone of the plan, are still blocked by red tape. Negotiations with key markets like the EU, UAE, and Saudi Arabia have made little headway. Veterinary labs remain underfunded and understaffed, delaying health certification. As one insider put it, “Exports die in the lab. Producers are ready, but the paperwork isn’t.”

The plan also promised blended finance to help small and black-owned producers scale up. Yet funding access remains limited, and government-imposed conditions on vaccine rollouts have made key health programmes unaffordable and impractical for producers.

Ultimately, the Master Plan was never meant to be carried by the private sector alone. It’s a shared compact — one that depends on both sides delivering. The poultry industry has largely honoured its commitments. Now, government must match that effort with urgent, transparent and time-bound action.

South Africa’s poultry sector still holds massive potential — for rural jobs, food security, black empowerment and export growth. But unless government moves beyond promises to delivery, the PSMP risks becoming a cautionary tale of plans made, but not kept.

The higher-quality seeds have been collected marking a considerable increase from the previous year.

Agriculture

Seeds of change: surge in certified seed production boosts 2025–2026

The agricultural sector is heading into the 2025–2026 cereal season with renewed momentum, thanks to a significant rise in the production of high-quality seeds.

According to the latest report, approximately 702,000 quintals of higher-quality seeds have been collected marking a considerable increase from the previous year.

This sharp rise is being hailed as a direct result of intensified national efforts to boost local seed production and strengthen food security through agri-tech and innovation. The net output of certified seeds now stands at 515,000 quintals, nearly double last year’s volume of 261,000 quintals, representing a 97.3% increase. The majority of this production is spread across 460,000 hectares of durum wheat, 45,000 hectares of soft wheat, and 10,000 hectares of barley.

At the same time, the estimated demand for certified seeds remains high, with projections standing at 573,000 quintals, alongside an expected 127,000 quintals for barley. With this in mind, national planning efforts have shifted gears to ensure farmers have timely access to the inputs they need especially as drought conditions continue to be a pressing concern.

In response to the challenging climate outlook, the government has implemented proactive measures to support producers. As part of the preparations for the upcoming season, the prices of basic chemical fertilisers have been frozen, following the decision made during the Restricted Ministerial Council on 20 May 2025. This move is designed to shield farmers from market volatility and reduce the cost burden on cereal growers.

The planned sowing area for the 2025–2026 cereal season is estimated at 1.145mn hectares, with 853,000 hectares allocated to the Northwestern regions and 291,000 hectares to the Central and Southern governorates. Irrigated land, however, is set to decrease slightly, with 77,000 hectares projected, down from 80,000 hectares the previous year.

To support this scale of cultivation, the fertiliser programme for the season will supply 289,000 tonnes of basic chemical fertilisers. The Tunisian Chemical Group has pledged to produce 150,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate at the Gabes facility, with plans to import an additional 70,000 tonnes. By late September, 38,000 tonnes of superphosphate 45, 46,000 tonnes of DAP (Diammonium Phosphate) and 37,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate had already been distributed to agricultural companies.

“This season’s strong seed output is a testament to coordinated efforts across the agricultural value chain, ensuring farmers are better equipped to face future challenges,” the report concluded.

Condor, Tornado, and Dragon sprayers offer tailored solutions for farms of all sizes, backed by cutting-edge technology and smart usability.(Image credit: Agrifac)

Machinery & Equipment

The latest sprayers transforming African crop protection

 AgriFac has pulled the wraps off three brand-new sprayers that promise to change the way African farmers protect and feed their crops

Designed with precision, sustainability, and scale in mind, the Condor, Tornado, and Dragon sprayers offer tailored solutions for farms of all sizes, backed by cutting-edge technology and smart usability.

The launch marks a bold step forward in crop protection and fertilisation across Africa, where efficiency, resource management, and environmental care are increasingly critical to farm profitability. AgriFac’s focus is clear: help farmers do more with less—less waste, less cost, and less environmental impact.

At the top of the range, the Condor is built for large-scale operations. It’s robust, capable, and engineered to deliver maximum performance even under tough climate conditions. Its wide coverage and tech-driven controls make it ideal for commercial farms looking to scale up without compromising accuracy.

Next is the Tornado- a versatile, mid-sized sprayer that balances power and precision. Compact yet tough, it’s designed for farms that need flexibility, particularly where terrain or field layout demand nimble, accurate spraying.

For smallholders, AgriFac introduces the Dragon - a user-friendly, low-maintenance sprayer that doesn’t skimp on performance. It’s light, affordable, and built to last, giving smaller farms access to the same innovations transforming larger operations.

What truly sets these machines apart is their smart tech integration. Each model can sync with a mobile app, giving farmers real-time feedback on spray coverage, application rates, and performance data. This enables smarter decision-making and helps reduce over-application and input waste.

Environmentally, AgriFac’s new line leads the way. With low-pressure nozzles and adjustable booms, the sprayers deliver targeted application with minimal drift protecting neighbouring crops, water sources, and biodiversity.

In a farming landscape where every drop and decision counts, AgriFac’s latest sprayers deliver a timely boost. For African growers facing rising input costs and climate pressures, these machines offer a practical, forward-thinking solution to modern farming challenges.