US African Commitment Brings Uganda Roses to U.S. Market

By Charles W. Corey, Washington File

Successful program shows America's commitment to Africa

Rosebud Limited, a Ugandan company, delivered its first shipment of 500,000 roses to the United States early in February, in time for the floral industry's busy season, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced February 22.

"This is a perfect example of the U.S. commitment to Africa," said Lloyd Pierson, assistant administrator for USAID's Bureau for Africa, in a recent USAID press release. "Through our expertise, USAID is building partnerships to create sustainability and drive economic growth. This is a remarkable step for Uganda, and we are glad to be a part of the progress," he said.

Rosebud, already Uganda's largest flower producer, has confirmed orders for a variety of roses from now through May. The shipments will be exported to the Miami-based Orange Flower Connect.

Through targeted technical assistance, USAID has helped Ugandan flower exporters with U.S. entry regulations, export documentation and certification of origin.

This support has been provided through the USAID-funded Strengthening the Competitiveness of Private Enterprise (SCOPE), which aims to enhance Uganda's efforts in being competitive in the global market.

In addition, SCOPE has helped the Uganda Flower Exporters Association draft a business competitiveness plan for the entire industry.

Flower exports from African nations enter the U.S. market quota and duty free under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) trade regime, which helps African companies gain access to the global marketplace. Floriculture, according to USAID, is Uganda's fifth-largest export earner, and it is estimated that every direct job in the flower industry supports five individuals.

For Ugandans, this newly tapped U.S. market, a USAID press release explains, offers great potential to increase incomes and improve livelihoods, especially for women, who make up 60 percent to 80 percent of workers on flower farms.

The SCOPE project also helps form collaborative, public-private sector groups to create business plans and marketing strategies for the development of competitive firms and industries. In addition, USAID notes that its mission activities in Uganda have been instrumental in building the floral industry there.

Currently 36 varieties of roses are grown commercially in Uganda. USAID/Uganda's Agricultural Productivity Enhancement Program works with flower producers on new growing practices, private-sector investment, training in post-harvest controls and pest management programs.

For more information on AGOA, see African Growth and Opportunity Act.

See Also: Other Africa News

Source: U.S. Department of State

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