• 29Sep

    In the international market for cut flowers and foliage, the major tropical flowers (or exotics) are Orchids and Anthuriums. Other important products falling within this product group are Protea’s (originally from South Africa) and of course Heliconias, Alpinia, Gingers, Strelitzias (birds of paradise) and to a lesser extent Calatheas. Read more »

  • 29Sep
    Categories: CSR Comments: 0

    The Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) is a social code of conduct that commits participating companies in the UK to guarantee decent working conditions throughout the supply chain. The ETI was originally developed in response to a need signalled in the food and garment sectors and these sectors continue to be the most important ones. However, the ETI is open to all companies and among the participants, representatives from for instance the cosmetics and stationery sector are also found. Read more »

  • 29Sep

    A water rationing mode currently effected in Naivasha, the bedrock for flower farming, is likely to deny the country the revenue from improved sales ahead of the onset of the peak flower season later this month.

    Analysts say the move is adding to the troubles the sector is facing. The industry reported a decline in demand for its products in key markets since the onset of global recession last year, as production drops further with the ongoing drought.
    Read more »

  • 28Sep
    Categories: Ethiopia, News Comments: 0

    Authorities at the state-owned Development Bank of Ethiopia have begun contemplating rescheduling the debt repayment period of flower farms based on the farms’ current performance.The current new thinking of the authorities is an outcome of DBE’s credit team’s assessment of the flower farms, a top official of the bank told Capital.
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  • 28Sep

    The EU market for fresh fruit and vegetables is declining in volume but growing in value. In much of the eastern European Union consumption is still growing and consumers are shifting from basic fruit and vegetables towards more diverse produce, including exotics. At the same time, the availability there of other food products, such as snacks and fast food, is a source of heated competition for fresh fruit and vegetables. The markets in countries such as Germany, Spain, Italy and France are large but nearly saturated. Only certain market niches and product groups provide opportunities for growth.
    Read more »

  • 26Sep

    Below you find a selection of photos of the third Master Class Flower Export and the Workshop External and Internal Customer Orientation. Both training activities were organised as part of the CBI/EHPEA training programme for flower exporters in Ethiopia.

  • 23Sep
    Categories: CSR, News Comments: 0

    Due to the economic crisis, the number of participants in the Fair Flowers Fair Plants (FFP) certification scheme has grown less than anticipated. Over the last year, the total number of growers participating in the label has only grown by twelve. The aim was sixty. According to the Vakblad voor de Bloemisterij, there are currently 159 certified operators.

  • 11Sep
    Categories: Ethiopia Comments: 0

    New technology for Ethiopian horticulture producers and exporters was introduced during the workshop at the Hilton Hotel on Thursday, September 3 by Australian company, Peakfresh Pty Ltd.
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  • 08Sep

    In the 1970s and 1980s, Poland was sometimes called “the Holland of Eastern Europe”, referring to its considerable floricultural production sector. In those times, Dianthus and Gerbera were the main products cultivated. The increasing costs of energy after the fall of communism forced many growers to stop their production in the early 1990s.

    Florist in PolandUp-to-date statististics on the Polish floricultural sector are scarce. In 2005, the Research Institute of Pomology and Floriculture Poland estimated the value of cut flower and pot plant production in Poland at € 501-536 million in 2003. Approximately € 456 million of the production value was ascribed to greenhouse production (cut flowers, pot plants and bulbs). Another € 45-70 million was ascribed to production in open area.

    According to the Polish agricultural census of 2002, the greenhouse area for floriculture was 1,417 hectares in 2002. It is estimated that cut flowers account for about 65% of this area. The open area for the production of floricultural products amounted to 3,176 hectares. Around 15% of this area is used for the production of cut flowers. According to an article in Floraculture International, this area is declining. Industry sources, however, indicate that the industry is very much in transition to more effective production and more cooperation. Polish production is particularly strong in spring and in summer.

    Read more »

  • 01Sep

    Recently published trade data (Eurostat) covering the year 2008 shows that The Netherlands remains the leading gateway for flowers from a number of different developing countries. Nevertheless, one leading supplying country can be recognised: Kenya. Imports from Kenya increased by 13% annually between 2004 and 2008, while imports from Ecuador increased by 20% annually during this period. Imports from Colombia and Tanzania showed significant increases as well. However, the most notable performance was that of Ethiopia. Imports from Ethiopia increased by 193% annually, with imports amounting to € 63 million in 2008. Only four years before, the imports from this country were still negligible. In contrast, imports from Zimbabwe decreased by 18% annually during the review period, due to the unstable economic and political situation.

    Source: ProVerde, Eurostat