Flower exporters predict 19% rise,
writes Martin Rushmere
WHILE ZIMBABWE'S overall exports continue to plummet, one sector at least reckons growth is ahead.
Flower exports are predicted to rise 19% to US$138 million in the year beginning July, compared with the previous year.
"The farm invasions are obviously causing much concern," says Mary Dunphy of the Export Flower Growers Association, "but the growers are hanging in there."
Shipping and exporting companies are equally confident. "We are really going for it," says Graham Macintosh of Produco, one of the three biggest flower h
andlers.
Doug Pascoe of the Horticultural Promotion Council says that the volume of flowers exported is expected to rise by 1 000 tonnes to 21 000 tonnes in the year to the end of 2001, while produce will drop 3 000 tonnes to 8 000 tonnes.
The biggest worry is the cost of fuel. Jet A1 now costs US$2.07 a gallon, compared with less than US$1.10 in Johannesburg.
For the most part this is irrelevant as Zimbabwe has no fuel and airlines are fuelling in Johannesburg.
