The recent decision by the United Kingdom to suspend tariffs on fresh-cut flower imports has breathed new life into Ethiopia's floriculture industry, igniting optimism and aspirations for the sector. Announced last week, this two-year tariff hiatus hopes to boost the trade relations of the UK government with East African countries dominant in flower exports.

Paul Walters, development director at the British Embassy, said the move is a pivotal opportunity to fortify economic ties between the two countries. He said the UK has been exploring trade policies that may be able to weave economic interests between countries heavily reliant on flower exports for some time.

"This will help significantly boost flower exports," he told Fortune.

Though global in scope, the UK suspension holds particular hope for Ethiopian exporters, who stand as a powerhouse in sub-Saharan flower exports, constituting nearly 23pc of the market with around 13 million dollars in revenues last year. For Tewodros Zewde, head of the Ethiopia Horticulture Producers Exporters Association, this decision marks the culmination of four years of tireless advocacy for tariff removal. driven by the imperative of rekindling demand and reestablishing crucial business links with the UK market.

Ethiopia has managed to triple its export revenue in the past two decades covering 2,000hct and producing nearly a quarter of a million tons. However, the path to UK markets has been fraught with difficulties in the wake of Brexit's seismic shifts in trade dynamics.

Located in Sululta, Sheger City, Samore Flower Farm Plc operates on 10hct plot exporting 20 million stems annually. Ronald Vijverberg, a shareholder, in the Dutch-owned company, recounts the formidable obstacles encountered post-Brexit. From logistical delays to bureaucratic hurdles, dampening the company's once-thriving exports to the UK. He hopes to recover at least five percent of the lost market in the near term.

"It was never the same after Brexit," he said.

Europe, the Middle East, and North America, constituting a formidable export revenue stream nearing half a billion dollars last year. The Netherlands emerges as a pivotal hub, with its iconic Flora Holland auction playing a central role in the global flower trade, facilitating the transit of nearly 70pc of the world's flower and plant market.

Ethiopian Netherlands Business Association (ENLBA)was created to improve the business climate for the 75 Dutch businesses based in Ethiopia, which include 17 flower exporters. Hayo Hamster, head of the Association, expects the latest move to gradually resurrect the flower trade between the UK as demand recovers with the drop in prices boosting Ethiopia's export revenue in the process.

"Less tariffs, more trades," he told Fortune.