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HortiFlora Expo 2026 Impression

Published: April 10, 2026

 

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Honouring Excellence and Future-Proofing Horticulture

Published: April 10, 2026

The opening session of HortiFlora Expo 2026 went beyond the traditional ribbon-cutting, setting a tone of excellence, innovation and forward thinking for the industry. A key highlight was the recognition of outstanding performance, as Gold Level Certificates were awarded to top-performing EHPEA member farms for their consistent compliance with the EHPEA Code of Practice for sustainable horticulture production.

Fourteen member farms received this prestigious recognition, reflecting their unwavering commitment to international standards, environmental stewardship and strong social responsibility. The awards underscored the growing importance of sustainability as a cornerstone of global horticulture competitiveness.

Across the Expo, side-stage discussions brought together leading experts from around the world to explore the future of the sector. These sessions tackled critical themes shaping horticulture today, including sustainable financing, smart logistics and transport, AI-driven tools and emerging technologies. Conversations also delved into global market trends in fruits and vegetables, sea freight dynamics, circular solutions, gender inclusivity, consumer behaviour and food safety—offering a comprehensive outlook on the opportunities and challenges ahead.

Creating Space for Youth and Women-Led Innovation

HortiFlora Expo 2026 also stood out as an inclusive platform, actively promoting participation by youth and women entrepreneurs. Micro and start-up businesses led by these groups leveraged the Expo to showcase their innovations, build visibility and establish valuable market connections.

Women smallholder farmers from rural communities were equally present, using the platform to exhibit their fresh produce and engage directly with buyers and partners. For many, the Expo provided a rare and impactful opportunity to step into larger value chains and forge meaningful business linkages.

Strengthening Partnerships for Sector Growth

EHPEA’s engagement throughout the three-day event reflected a strong commitment to collaboration and sector advancement. Executive Director Tewodros Zewdie led a series of high-level meetings and a roundtable discussion with regional and international partners, focusing on unlocking opportunities for Ethiopia’s horticulture industry.

Discussions with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) explored pathways for member farms to access finance and technical support. Engagements with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) centred on leveraging Ethiopia’s potential in high-value fruit production, while talks with Partners in Food Solutions (PFS) highlighted opportunities to strengthen food systems, enhance food safety and boost the competitiveness of Africa’s food processing sector through shared expertise.

A notable milestone was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Maastricht University in the Netherlands. The partnership will support tailored capacity building and training programmes for students and industry players, ultimately strengthening the sector’s skills base and global competitiveness.

From Momentum to Movement

HortiFlora Expo 2026 concluded on a high note, leaving behind renewed energy and clear momentum for the industry’s next phase. Notably, this year marked a strategic shift, with the Expo transitioning from a biennial to an annual event—an indication of its growing importance as a catalyst for innovation, collaboration and sustainable growth in horticulture.

Source: Floriculture

 

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HortiFlora Expo 2026: A Success for Global Horticulture & Floriculture

Published: April 1, 2026

HortiFlora Expo 2026, held from March 24–26 at the Addis International Convention Center (AICC) in Addis Ababa, once again confirmed its status as one of Africa’s leading horticultural trade fairs. Bringing together industry leaders, innovators, and growers from around the world, the event delivered strong participation and meaningful business engagement.

Building on the success of previous editions, the 2026 expo hosted 150 exhibitors and over 2,000 visitors from over 35 countries. It highlighted Ethiopia’s growing role in the global floriculture and horticulture industries, with a wider showcase that included not only flowers but also fruits and vegetables.

A Global Platform for a Growing Industry

HortiFlora continues to connect the full horticulture value chain—from breeders and growers to logistics providers and investors. The event reflected rising international demand for Ethiopian flowers and fresh produce, as well as the country’s increasing prominence as a leading exporter.

The sector’s economic impact remains significant, generating hundreds of millions of dollars annually and supporting around 200,000 jobs. Across the exhibition, there was a clear emphasis on sustainability, innovation, and quality, with exhibitors presenting advancements in areas such as cold-chain logistics and climate-smart production.

Driving Business and Innovation

Beyond the exhibition floor, the expo offered high-level forums, B2B matchmaking sessions, and panel discussions focused on sustainability, finance, market trends, and technology. These activities reinforced HortiFlora’s role as a platform for both knowledge exchange and concrete business outcomes.

Celebrating Excellence: Award Winners 2026

A highlight of the event was the recognition of outstanding exhibitors and growers:

Best Stand Design Award
• Platinum: Roshanara Roses
• Gold: Sher Ethiopia
• Silver: Gilboa Seeds and Seedlings Agri
• Bronze: Tinaw Business (Tinaw Flowers)

Best Grower Design Award
• Platinum: Marginpar Ethiopia
• Gold: Abyssinia Flowers PLC (Mulo Farm)
• Silver: Ethio Veg-Fru
• Bronze: Ethiopian Trading Businesses Corporation

These awards recognized excellence in presentation, innovation, and the ability to communicate brand identity and product quality.

Looking Ahead

As HortiFlora continues to expand in scale and scope, it reflects the broader momentum of Ethiopia’s horticulture sector—dynamic, resilient, and increasingly global. With growing international participation and a strong focus on sustainability and quality, the expo has firmly positioned itself as a key meeting point for the industry.

HortiFlora looks forward to welcoming participants again in 2027, from Tuesday, March 23 to Thursday, March 25.

 

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Beware of attendee list scams

Published: April 18, 2025

There are ‘unofficial’ companies aggressively pursuing attendees/exhibitors to buy/order the attendee lists of HortiFlora Expo Ethiopia. Unfortunately, some past attendees/exhibitors have fallen prey to these companies and their offers. The organizer of HortiFlora Expo Ethiopia, HPP Exhibitions, does NOT release visitor contact details to anybody. Do not reply to these requests as these companies simply do not have the attendee list and try to scam you.

 

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Beware of possible hotel fraud

Published: June 30, 2023

There are ‘unofficial’ companies aggressively pursuing attendees/exhibitors to book discounted hotel rooms through their company. Unfortunately, some past attendees/exhibitors have fallen prey to these companies and have either:

• Been relocated with little or no warning
• Lost their significant deposits
• Not had the guest rooms they thought they had booked
• Not had the hotel they thought they had booked
• etc.

This has caused great hardship to these companies and individuals. Reservations made through an agency will be at your own risk. We advise you to book directly with hotels and not through a third party.

Such companies should be avoided, as there are no agencies affiliated to HPP Exhibitions, other than those mentioned on our website!

 

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