(Ecofin Agency) - In Ethiopia, it is a real Christmas present that Ethiopian Airlines offered the Horticulture industry. Truly, the company has recently decided to cut its rates on freight for exporters of horticultural products, slumping down from 6% to 3%.

With this measure, the airlines intends to support this sector which generated about $425 million over the 2013-2014 season ranking as the country’s fifth source of foreign exchange. This decision which responds to a request from these exporters is taken in a particularly weak economic environment for Ethiopia’s horticulture industry. Indeed, Ethiopia recently paid the price for its strong dependence on the European market, its largest outlet, following Euro’s depreciation.

Nevertheless, Addis Fortune says, the move is by no means philanthropic and was implemented as a result of the substantial fall in prices of plane fuel. Zelalem Messele, one of the leaders of the Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association (EHPEA) said the change was an “encouraging sign” but it is expected that it would attract a large number of Ethiopian horticulturists to the airlines.

Aaron Akinocho