High Input, Freight Costs Blight Country's Flower Sector

Uganda: High Input, Freight Costs Blight Country's Flower Sector Posted to the web 19 August 2008 Edwin Nshuti Nairobi Rising production costs, high freight charges and falling world prices for cut flowers are threatening to undo a decade of positive growth for flower growers in Uganda. The sector employs more than 6,000 people and generates over $30 million annually. "We are going through a very tough period," says Raghbir Sandhu, manager of Pearl Flowers. "Costs of inputs like fertilisers and chemicals have gone up by 200 per cent from last year. The cost of electricity has gone up together with that of fuel and airfreight. Everyone is wondering how they are going to survive." According to Harriet Musoke, executive director of Uganda Flower Exporters Association (UFEA), air freight costs have shot up from $1.9 per kg to... [read full story]