21Jan
FloraHolland is budgeting a small decrease in turnover of 1.5 per cent for 2010. “By being thrifty we can ensure that the auction does not become more expensive while modernizing sufficiently at the same time,” said Financial Director Erik Leeuwaarden at the recently held general meeting. The rates for members will remain largely the same in 2010.The basic commission will be 1.4 per cent.
Sales via FloraHolland Connect will be 0.1 per cent cheaper for members. The clock commission will stay at 2.3 per cent. The auction is working towards further harmonization of the various rates. Lot charge will be decreased at Naaldwijk and Rijnsburg. Read more »
20Jan
A two-day training programme for flower growers in Guatemala on ‘External and internal customer orientation’ is scheduled for early February. The training programme is an initiative of CBI and Agexport and will be carried out by Milco Rikken of ProVerde and Maarten van Schie of OTV Wageningen.
The objective of the training is to improve the knowledge and skills of the participants in understanding customer requirements as well as the European market channels and requirements. After the training, participants are informed about present market conditions and developments. They are able to translate and implement market information, client expectations and feedback to the different levels in the farms. This is done in relation to the export of flowers, foliage and plant (materials) to the EU. Read more »
14Jan
Today (14 January 2010), The Mavuno Group (Kenya) and flower auction FloraHolland announced that all the activities of Tele Flower Auction (TFA) of the Mavuno Group will be integrated into FloraHolland. This means that current TFA suppliers will broaden their sales network and strengthen their trade opportunities by connecting to the virtual clock systems of FloraHolland. For FloraHolland this is an unique opportunity to bind international producers and improve the assortment and buying power for buyers. Integration will be accomplished this year. Read more »
26Nov
Categories: News, Tanzania
The Tanzania Horticultural Association (Taha) will set up a processing and packaging facility at the Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA). The airport is the main exit point for export of horticultural products, mainly cut flowers, to markets abroad. Read more »
04Nov
A technical team from countries in the East African region, which has been meeting in Kampala, Uganda, has agreed on a pact paving the way for free movement of labour in the region. Once the Kampala Common Market Protocol is endorsed, professionals, services and capital owners would be able to move freely in the five countries of the East African Community (EAC). Read more »
30Oct
Kenyan flower exports may drop 14 percent to 80,000 tonnes this year due to drought and a depressed world market, the chief executive of the Kenya Flower Council said. Read more »
15Oct
SA’s flower exporters were continuing to battle weak markets with no signs of demand picking up yet in Europe, their biggest market, or an easing of cost pressures, René Schoenmaker of the South African Flower Exports Council said on Friday. Read more »
13Oct
Categories: CSR, Kenya, News
On Monday 12 October, the Dutch supermarket chain Albert Heijn introduced mixed long roses under their AH Pure & Honest brand (AH Puur & Eerlijk). During a short ceremony in Zaandam, Mrs. R.C. Rono, Ambassador of Kenya, presented the first bunch to Mr. Albert Voogd, Director of Commerce of Albert Heijn. During the next two weeks, all Albert Heijn supermarkets will focus on the Pure & Honest theme. This new brand of Albert Heijn makes it easy for customers to choose responsible and sustainable products. Read more »
04Oct
Floriculture exports from India are expected to see a 20 per cent decline this year “as buyers are holding on to their purse strings due to the slowdown,” S Jafar Naqvi, president of the Indian Flowers and Ornamental Plants Welfare Association (iFlora), has said. 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 »