Flowers

Cut Flowers and Ornamental Plants
Issue No.9
September
2007

Disclaimer

This report has been prepared without formal editing, as a service to exporters and
industries in developing countries by the Market News Service (MNS), Division of
Product and Market Development, International Trade Centre UNCTAD/WTO.

No part of this report may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or
transmitted in any form or by any means, without prior permission in writing from
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names does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by ITC in preference
to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned.
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Market News Service: Organic Products report
Report prepared by Mr. Jan Plasmeijer and Mr. Chumi Yanai
Issue M9, of 11 October 2007

The Market News Service (MNS) Organic Products Bi-Monthly Report presents informative
notes and statistical analysis on selected Organic Products traded in major European and
international markets. First, the report is divided into a market trend section with
qualitative information and market trends for both Cut Flowers and Plants traded in major
international European markets. Second, the report offers information and analysis for a
selected number of countries within the world floriculture market and reviews of published
articles about the industry. Third, it presents major international floriculture events,
exhibitions and conferences. Finally it provides, when available, selected price and
quantity trend information for major auction houses and wholesalers in major European and
Asian floriculture markets.

MNS information providers for floriculture products include major importers, wholesalers,
auctions and organizations in 11 European countries and 2 Asian countries. Market
information is collected throughout the year and is available for transmission to subscribers
on a monthly basis.

The MNS Statistical Information section, available through the P-Map portal www.p-
maps.org, provides quotations that refer to major flower auctions` quantities and average
weekly prices from the Netherlands and Japan, and wholesale market indicative prices from
Singapore. European prices are quoted in Euro. Asian prices are quoted in local currencies
and in US$. Unless otherwise mentioned, prices are quoted per stem and are related to
size in cm.

We welcome new sources of information, news that subscribers and readers might have on
their specific products or areas, inquiries or information requests on the products and
markets covered by the report as well as suggestions, remarks and indications on the report
content.

For these purposes or for other information about the report and the Market News Service,
please contact mns@intracen.org. The authors can be contacted at
janplasmeijer@planet.nl or chumi_y@netvision.net.il

To subscribe to the report or to access MNS reports directly online, please contact
mns@intracen.org or visit our website at: http://www.p-maps.org

The Market News Service is made available free of charge to all Trade Support Institutions
and enterprises in Sub-Saharan African countries under a joint programme of the
International Trade Centre and CBI, the Dutch Centre for the Promotion of Imports from
Developing Countries (www.cbi.nl).
Copyright MNS/ITC 2000. All rights reserved

Index

MARKET TRENDS ..................................................................... 1
Cut Flowers Market in Europe..................................................... 1
Plants Market in Europe............................................................ 7
SELECTED FLORICULTURE WORLD INFO........................................10
Members Approve Merger of Floraholland and Aalsmeer Auction.......... 10
UK: Manchester Flower Centre to Boom....................................... 11
Vietnams Flower Exports to China Rise 20%.................................. 11
India: Domestic Market Hits Flower Exports, Likely to Miss 2010 Target.. 11
Sub Saharan East Africa: Flowers Among Region's Trade Strengths ........ 13
Rwanda: Dutch Fund Training Flower Farmers ............................... 14
Uganda: Flowers Sector for Shake Up.......................................... 14
Ethiopia: Countrys Flower Sector Outgrows Kenya.......................... 15
Ethiopia: Flower Exporters Strengthen Ties to Japan ....................... 16
Kenya: Horticultural Bodies Prepares for Merger............................. 17
Kenyan Flowers Head for Comesa .............................................. 18
EVENTS CALENDAR .................................................................19
STATISTICAL INFORMATION.......................................................20
Quarterly Price Statistic, European Markets .................................. 20

Market News Service
1
Market Trends
Cut Flowers Market in Europe

Netherlands

Flowers Auctions Note
The auctions turnover figures of the month
of August were published by the VBN
(Organisation of all auctions in the
Netherlands) as following: A turnover
decrease of -4.5%, compared to August
2007 was obtained. The supplied quantities
were +2.5% higher, while prices were 2
cents lower this year. Per product (out of
the top 10) prices were lower for
chrysanthemum, gerbera, anthurium,
alstromeria and freesia. Hardly any product
with higher prices, but steady was the
situation of roses, lilies, zantedeschia and
eustoma.
During the first two weeks of September
the cut flower market was even better than
during the month of August, which was a
rather good month already. Especially
during the second week prices went up
further than during the first week. This was
in contradiction with last year, when the
prices went down during the comparable
week. Most probably the reason was the
supply situation. Did quantities increase
rapidly last year as from the beginning of
the month, this year they remained on a
relatively low level. The major given reasons
were that the domestic production was lower, in
particular of indoors-cultivated roses and
outdoors cultivated summer flowers. The summer
started early this year; but also early terminated.
Import quantities were still not on the full level
to compensate that, most probably, temporary
shortage. Prices of the mentioned products were
all considerably higher, while for other products
they were lower. Products like: chrysanthemums,
mini gerberas and lilies were cheaper. The
outdoors cultivated lilys supply was quite big,
especially of the oriental types, with some effect
on the prices of course. During the third week of
the month the prices remained the same high as
during the first two weeks. However, throughout
the last week of the month prices were
decreasing considerably, especially of roses,
which became really plentiful again, in particular
from imports. Rose prices in September 2007
were all the time higher when compare to
September 2006. However throughout the last
week of the month, as said, they become lower
again. All in all the September results are going
to be a very good and much better than last year,
both for the auctions as for the growers.

Exporters and Importers Note
The August 2007 cut flower export figures
were published by HBAG (the exporters
organisation) as following: The total export
increase, in value, to all countries together
was 1%. Per country, however, some
differences could be noticed. Positive export
results for: United Kingdom (+ 9%), France (+
1%), Belgium (+ 7%), Denmark (+ 4%) and
other countries (+ 9%). Negative export
results were obtained to: Germany (- 5%), Italy
(- 15%), Russia (- 10%), USA (- 12%) and Austria
(- 14%).
The good cut flower market situation of
August was further continuing positively during
the first three weeks of September. Prices
went up even higher, especially for roses, for
all the range of so-called summer flowers,
such as hypericum, solidago, helianthus,
limonium, statice, liatris, trachelium, and also
of carnations, big headed gerberas, gypsophila
and lilies. Very good demand and prices for
the niche products: molucella, sandersonia,
eryngium and clematis. Products of which
prices did stay behind were: chrysanthemums,
asters, mini gerberas and, alstromeria. Total
supplied quantities of all cut flowers were not
particularly big. To the contrary they were
considerably smaller than last year during the
same period, especially of roses and the
summer flowers. The change of the seasons in
Europe from summer into autumn was going
together with the change of the supplied
assortment. The summer flowers were
disappearing and the autumn and winter
flowers arriving in the market. The same has
happened with the imports from the Southern
hemisphere countries South Africa and
Australia, but than the other way round. The
Market News Service
2
assortment changed from winter into
spring/summer products like: proteas,
leucospermum cordifolium, cape greens, other
wild flowers, many other greens, wax flowers
and anigozanthus. Gradually the imported
quantities were increasing every other day
until the end of the month. Prices were in
nearly all cases satisfactory. However, the
price change took place throughout the fourth
week of the month. Suddenly prices really
dropped down for roses in particular. When
compared to last year, when prices dropped
down during the second week of the
September, all has been much better in
September 2007. Auctions and growers were
very satisfied and also traders were not
complaining at all.

Austria
All people and consumers have come back
from their summer holidays. However during
the first two weeks of September the cut
flower market did not really improve very
much, for sure not at the demand side of
the market. On the other and prices,
especially for most types of flowers
originating from the Netherlands were very
high; in particular roses and so-called
summer flowers. Like during the month of
August, the market was very good and positive
for carnations and spray carnations. The supplies
and quantities originating from Colombia have
normalised. Throughout the second half of the
month the market did not improve at all. To the
contrary all further deteriorated, even for
carnations and cut foliage. During this season of
the year lots of non-traditional and alternative
greens are available and used instead of the
traditional assortment of cut foliage.

France
The first week of September was still a very
slow and quiet week in the cut flower
branch. Most of the people/consumers were
just about to return from their summer
holidays. However as from the second week
of the month onwards the market really
improved considerably, especially for
products like roses and gypsophila, but also
for the so-called autumn products such as
proteas and leucospermum cordifolium,
which were arriving in the market in
increasing quantities. The latter product was
very expensive, while proteas were not super
expensive, but neither they could be called
cheap. In the cut foliage sector enough
quantities of leather leaves and salal were
available again. Salal, which was lately
transported by air, is now again coming by
marine containers; this had a positive effect on
the prices. Leather leaves were reasonably
plentiful, while purchase prices have slightly
decreased. In general enough quantities of
nearly all cut flower and foliage products were
available, except of Ecuadorian roses and
gypsophila. These quantities could be bigger.
All in all the September cut flower market
could be called reasonably normal, when
compared to the same period of previous years.

Germany
The cut flower market during the first two
weeks of September were as positive as
during all the month of August, and also as
expected and planned before. Nearly all
people/consumers, traders and florists were
back from their summer holidays and
therefore more quantities of nearly all
products could be imported and sold. Prices
for nearly all products originating from the
Netherlands were rather high, especially for
roses, carnations and the whole so-called
summer flowers, such as: hypericum,
helianthus, solidago, statice, limonium,
liatris and others. Rose quantities from
Ecuador as also from African production countries
have become more plentiful. However the
African rose quantities were still not on the 100%
level. The directly imported roses from overseas
countries were very competitive to the Dutch
roses. That is always the case when price in the
Netherlands are so high. Colombian carnations
were again enough plentiful, but there was still
some shortage of spray carnations. The typical
autumn products proteas and leucospermum
cordifolium have arrived in the market in
increased quantities. Also demand and sales have
improved. Demand for the so-called cape greens
was still rather low. In the cut foliage sector
Market News Service
3
everything has, more or less, normalised.
Salal is coming in sea containers again, while
it was transported by air during the past
weeks/months. Some shortage of Costa Rican
leather leaves was noticed, except of the
medium sizes. Purchase prices were
considerably higher (20-25%) when compared
to the same period of last year. The market
was still quite slow for the exotic products,
like dendrobium orchids, heliconias and
ginger lilies. The first test shipments of
Turkish carnations have arrived to the market.
The general quality level was still summer like,
with thin stems and small heads. There was
already some demand, but only for lower prices.
The market for cut flowers did slow down
considerably during the last week of the month
and so did the prices of lots of the products, but
strongest for roses, mini gerberas and salal.
Suddenly demand and sales of the exotic flowers
became much better.

Italy
After the long hot summer, when most of the
potential consumers were on holidays, the cut
flower market was improving again.
Nevertheless, in September normally no
fireworks in the business can be expected. So
it was this year too. Gradually, but slowly
everything was picking up. Enough products
and quantities were available, from domestic
production and from imports, from the
Netherlands as from other overseas production
and exporting countries. Reasonable quantities
of Ecuadorian roses and gypsophila,
dendrobium orchids from Thailand, small and
sweetheart roses and solidago from Kenya,
and very small quantities of other products
from several other countries. For sure the
market will recover and improve throughout
the coming month, when the All Saints and all
Souls Day (1 and 2 November), festivities will
start.

Norway
The autumn has arrived and with the change
of the seasons, the supplied and demanded
assortment has changed as well. The major
business was done with the typical autumn
products like erica, calluna and
chrysanthemums potted plants. These, for
sure, took part of of the cut flowers and
flowering houseplants market. However, that
was nothing really different when compared to
previous years. At the beginning, erica and
calluna plants were still rather expensive.
However, throughout the month prices
decreased quite considerably. As traders
report, it has become a voluminous trade for
marginal profits; but florists and consumers
really demand and like the products during
this part of the year. In the cut flower sector
traders and florists trid to make special
promotion with mixed bouquets and with small
bouquets of mono bunches of gladiolus and
mini gerberas . Throughout the second half of
the month the cut flower market was very
slow and quiet, mainly due to the very bad
weather in big parts of the country. On the
other hand flowers originating from the
Netherlands were rather expensive all the
time.

Spain
Summer is over, and all traders, florists and
consumers are back from their summer
holidays. Yet, during the first two weeks of
September the cut flower market was still
rather slow and quiet. On the supply side of
the market the situation was good and
quantities were plentifully available; also
Colombian carnations, which were scarce
during July and August. Still demand and
sales of carnations, even though prices were
relatively high, were positive and
satisfactory. The same could be said for
leather leaves and other traditional cut
foliage types, while demand for other products
was nothing really special. Prices for cut flowers
originating from the Netherlands were not
particularly high, but they were neither low at
all. During the second half of the month the
market in general did stay steady and normal for
the time of the year. Slightly more products were
imported from different origins. For instance:
asters, eustoma, aralea, cocculus and gerberas
from Israel. On the other hand cymbidium orchids
from the Netherlands were available again and
therefore the New Zealand ones were not used
anymore. Dendrobium orchids originating from
Market News Service
4
Thailand had become cheaper now. To the
contrary carnations from Colombia and roses
from Ecuador and Colombia have become
more expensive. For the time being, the
market is in the atmosphere of the approaching
All Saints Day at the beginning of November.
This is the most important cut flower event of
the year in Spain.

Sweden
During the first week of September the cut
flower market was rather slow and quiet. It
was the period of the year that people with
children have to spend money for new school
material and therefore there is less money left
for buying cut flowers and plants. However,
throughout the second week of the month the
market gradually improved and consumers
started buying floricultural products again.
Colombian carnations, both the single headed
and the sprays were plentifully available,
after a long period of shortage. On the other
hand still quite some shortages of shorter
small and sweetheart roses originating from
the African production countries were noticed,
due to the bad weather in the regions
especially in Kenya and Ethiopia. This
shortage had, however quite some effect on
the price, which became higher. Also from the
Netherlands roses were not particularly
plentiful and prices were rather high as well.
During the last two weeks of the month the
market was again moderate, anyhow normal
for the period of the year. Roses, originating
from both the Netherlands and from the
African countries became slightly less
expensive. Also prices for most of the other
products from the Netherlands slightly
decreased too, down to normal levels for the
time of the year.

Switzerland
As during the last two weeks of August the
September market was continuously steady
and positive. As traders reported, the
weather was not particularly very nice, but
that is always good for cut flower demand
and sales, because people stay indoors, and
then they more easily decide to buy flowers.
On the supply side of the market the
situation has clearly improved. Much bigger
quantities, especially roses from Africa and
from Ecuador, have arrived in the market
throughout the entire month; unlike the
shortage during the end of the August. Some
minor quality problems showed up in some
shipments of Ethiopian roses, but towards
the end of the month all has improved
again. As said, sales went very good and
smoothly, mainly due to the fact that the rose
prices in the Netherlands were so high. It was a
situation that directly imported flowers could be
sold more easily, just because of less competition
from the Dutch roses. Due to the autumn time
and weather the market started to be more and
more interested in the typical and seasonal South
African and Australian assortment, with proteas,
leucospermum cordifolium, cape greens, wax
flowers and many other types of so-called wild
flowers and cut foliage. Remarkable was also the
very good demand and sales (during the second
and third weeks of the month) of the tropical
product heliconia. Why suddenly? It was not
really known, but it was very welcomed of
course.

United Kingdom
The summer holiday was over, the schools
have started again, and all traders and
florists were also back home, and yet, the
cut flower market was still slow and quiet
during the entire month of September. As
importers and traders were reporting, they
really had to push to be able to sell
something. Luckily, supplied quantities were
not particularly big, neither from domestic
production, nor from imports from the
Netherlands and other overseas countries.
Colombian carnations were reasonably
plentiful, after a long period of shortage.
Towards the end of the month some
oversupplies could be noticed. At the same
moment it could be said that demand was just
very low; anyway, too low to swallow the
available quantities. However, purchase prices
were still rather high, taking in account the
period of the year. Also the first shipments of
Turkish carnations arrived to the market. The
general quality level was still very much
summer like. Still there was some demand for
them, but only from a special market segment.
Market News Service
5
Market Trends
Plants Market in Europe

Netherlands

Aalsmeer Auction Notes

The August 2007 auction figures were
published by the VBN (Organisation of all
auctions in the Netherlands) as following:
The houseplants turnover increased with
+3.1%, compared to August 2006. Supplied
quantities were +2.1% higher, while the
total average price for all plants together
ended up at 1.57 (last 1.55). Per product,
some differences could be noticed: Higher
prices for phalaenopsis orchids, dracaena,
ficus, spathiphyllum, and zamioculcas.
Lower prices for: chrysanthemum,
kalanchoe, and anthurium. Garden plants
turnover increased with +5.1%. Supplied
quantities increased with +0.6%, while the
total average price increased with 4 cents to
93 cents per piece this year.
Throughout the first two weeks of
September the supplied quantities, of both,
flowering and green plants were really
plentiful and considerably bigger than during
the past weeks. Also compared to the same
period of last year. Sold quantities were
very big, both via the so-called clock as via
the intermediary system. However when the
supplied quantities to be marketed via the
intermediary system are too high, growers
tend to switch to the clock system sales,
resulting in negative effect on the prices.
These prices of nearly all products, sold via
the two respective systems this September,
were considerably higher than during the
comparable weeks of last year.
Accumulatively, from January until mid
September the prices and results have been
better than last year during the same
period. As from the beginning of the month
the so-called special autumn products, like
ericas, callunas, pot chrysanthemums, and
other seasonal products, took a considerably
share of the market. Normally, this has
quite an impact on the other traditional
house and garden plants. The seasonal
plants arrived in the market much earlier
than normally, all due to the warm weather
in April and May. As said, prices of most of
these products were lower in September,
especially of the smaller sized pots.
Throughout the last two weeks of the month
supplied quantities of flowering and green
houseplants decreased, while prices
remained steady as they were throughout
the first half of the month.

Importers and Traders Notes

The plant export figures of August 2007
were published by HBAG (the organisation of
exporters) as following: The export value
increase to all countries together was +1%,
compared to August 2006. Per country (top
10), however, quite some differences were
noticed. Better and positive results to
countries, like France, Switzerland, Spain,
Denmark and other countries. Negative
results of exports to: Germany, United
Kingdom, Belgium and Sweden. The export
figures of the so-called starter material
were negative (-12% compared to August of
last year) throughout the month of August,
especially to: Germany, United Kingdom,
France, Italy, Japan and Poland. Only to the
following top 10 countries, Belgium, USA,
Denmark, Spain and other countries,
positive results were obtained.

Throughout the entire month of August the
fully grown plants business was quite
normal, compared to the past years; nothing
special, but neither bad at all. During
summer 2007 the houseplants market was
steady, while prices were higher than
normally during the whole summer period of
the year. One of the major reasons was the
moderate weather this year; not very hot,
but neither cold; but most of the time
cloudy with temperatures around 20 25
Celsius. In such circumstances most of the
Market News Service
7
people stay inside their homes. There were
not many evenings that one could
comfortably sit outside. When
people/consumers cannot stay so much
outdoors, they do more shopping and at the
same moment they buy more plants and
flowers, just for home use. In case of buying
plants, consumers preferred buying more
flowering plants than green plants. Yet, at
the end of the month the green plants
market improved considerably.

For the tropical ornamental young plants
sector the market gradually improved again
after the real summer time (June and July).
More greenhouse space became available
and most of the workers came back from
their holidays. So growers started to buy
more young plants to fill up the empty
space. Enough quantities of nearly all types
of plants were plentifully available, except
of areca palms, mainly of the most popular
sizes of 80 100 centimetres. If more
quantities would have been available, they
would easily have been sold, importers
reported. The general quality level of the
imported material was rather good. Hardly
or no quality problems have been noticed
lately.

Denmark
During the month of August and the
beginning of September the fully-grown
plants market was steady, but not very
lively. However, it was still better the same
period of the past years. So far, this year is
better than the previous years, with higher
prices for nearly all the types of plants.
Throughout the given period it is always
slower for the green houseplants, while it is
slightly livelier for the flowering
houseplants. It is, however The period of
the so-called seasonal plants, most of them
used for outdoor decorations. These plants
are callunas, ericas and pot
chrysanthemums. Especially the very big, so
called-bulb chrysanthemums are only for
outdoor use, specially produced and sold for
the approaching All Saints Days at the
beginning of November.

In the tropical ornamental young plants
sector the market was getting livelier again,
after the summer holidays time. All empty
greenhouse space had to be filled up again.
Enough new youngplant material was
available from the producing countries,
except of the variety Janeth Graig
compacta, in particular of the smaller sizes.
Hardly or no real quality problems were
showing up lately. We have to be very alert
during the coming weeks/months when the
rainy season will be passing by most of the
producing countries in the tropical regions,
importers say.

Germany
As from the beginning of the month
September, the fully grown houseplants
market has become much slower and more
difficult; mostly because of the heavy
competition of the so-called seasonal
autumn plants. Plants like erica, calluna and
pot chrysanthemum, all supplied in very big
quantities. In case of the chrysanthemums
an over supply situation has caused heavy
pressure on the prices. However, also the
other two products were facing some price
pressure, even though most of them were
still sold. All these mentioned pants came
into flowering much earlier than normally,
as re4sult of the very nice summer weather
during the months of April and May.
Normally, the real peak season of the
ercicas and callunas is taking place at the
beginning of October. It needs to be seen
how the market will develop further on. The
heavy supplies of the garden plants also, for
sure, affected the green and flowering
houseplant sector. Prices were lower, than
during the past month and also lower than
last year in September. Still they were
acceptable and growers could still benefit
from the rather positive sales and prices
during the first eight months of the year.

In the tropical ornamental young plants
sector continuously plenty of new young
plant material was available for very
reasonable prices. Also in this branch
oversupply was noticed for phoenix
roebelinii, while areca palms were scarcer.
Some more prices for the respective
products like: dracaena marginata 6 inch
canes for 0.33, braid dr. marginata 24
canes for 7.50, 12 canes for 0.48, dr.
Janeth Graig compacta 18 canes for 1.80,
Market News Service
7
J.Gr. Compacta 2 feet branched canes for
5.00 and 3 canes for 7.50, schefflera
braid 12 canes for 2.20, schefflera Trinette
braid 12 canes for 3.80, phoenix
roebelinii 2 canes for 15.00, Beaucarnea
braid canes with a 6 diameter bulb for
8,00, 36 canes with an 8 diameter bulb for
6.50.

Sweden
Since most of the consumers were back from
their summer holidays, the fully-grown plant
market improved quite considerably
throughout the month of September.
However, it was expected to be even better.
Flowering house and garden plants were
more popular than the green houseplants
during that period of the year. That is,
however, normal for the end of the summer
- beginning of the autumn. Mostly demanded
and sold types of plants were the flowering
houseplants: begonia, chrysanthemum,
kalanchoe and kalandiva, while among the
flowering garden plants the most important
products were erica, calluna, and pot
chrysanthemum, in particular the very big,
so-called bulb varieties. The real peak
season of the mentioned garden plants
market is expected to take place during the
first half of October. These plants are
mainly used for the All Saints and All Souls
Days celebrations at the first and the
second of November.

10 Market News Service (MNS)
Selected Floriculture World Info

Members Approve Merger of Floraholland and Aalsmeer
Auction

The merger of
Bloemenveiling Aalsmeer
and FloraHolland has
become a reality. Members
of both cooperatives
approved the merger
proposal on September 19
night. This took place at General Assembly
meetings held simultaneously in Aalsmeer and
Naaldwijk. A two-thirds majority was needed
for the merger proposal to succeed. In
Aalsmeer, 85 percent voted in favor, while in
Naaldwijk the percentage was 79 percent. The
merger will take effect on January 1, 2008.

The boards and managements of FloraHolland
and Bloemenveiling Aalsmeer welcomed the
members' "yes" vote. The decision means that
the auction cooperatives will be able to
maintain a strong market position for their
members and partners in the ornamental
flower and plant business and will be able to
adapt their services to the changes taking
place in the market. At the General Assembly
meetings, both boards and managements
emphasized the necessity of the merger. The
reasons for the merger are strategic. As
service providers, both organizations want to
strengthen their joint markets. This can be
done easier and more efficiently with a single
organization than with two separate
organizations. Furthermore, the merger
partners say that joining forces can increase
the strength of the Dutch auction system, by
offering buyers an even broader range of
products. The merger is not an objective, but
a means to be able to vigorously meet the
demands of the future as an ornamental
flower and plant business. Another goal of the
merger is to limit costs throughout the chain
by, among other things, greater
standardization in the business chain.

The merger plans were first launched in
October last year with the signing of a
declaration of intent to merge. In August, the
Netherlands Competition Authority approved
the merger. The Association of Wholesale
Trade in Floricultural Products (VGB) also
supports the merger of the two auction
organizations. The coming months will be used
to get the new organization ready on January
1, 2008. The main management positions have
now been filled. The investment capacity for
the coming five years has been set at a total
of 400 million.

The new cooperative called FloraHolland
offers growers and customers a network of six
auction locations (Aalsmeer, Naaldwijk,
Rijnsburg, Bleiswijk, Venlo and Eelde), one
nationally operating intermediary office and
one Import division. The total annual sales via
the new FloraHolland are about 4 billion.
The aimed-for annual profit of the merger
combination is 10 million. The organization
expects sales to grow annually by about three
percent. FloraHolland employs 4700 people.

Source: FloraHolland 21/09/07
Voting and cheering
UK: Manchester Flower Centre to Boom

A massive new wholesale flower market is to
bloom in east Manchester. The 20,000 sq ft
building will include a 10,000 sq ft
refrigerated area at New Smithfield Market.
Manchester Wholesale Flowers has been
trading for over 20 years, and will
consolidate all its operations in one unit.
The self-contained unit will incorporate a
showroom, a 10,000 sq ft refrigerated
storage facility and an external service area
for distribution services and customer car
parking, all of which were formerly at
different locations around Manchester. The
project is due to be completed by February
2008, and total investment value is 1.4m. It
is expected to rally support for further
regeneration at New Smithfield Market.
Manchester Wholesale Flowers already sells
more than 250,000 stems a week. Director
Mark Window said: "We're expecting our
turnover of 7m a year to grow. It will mean
a huge improvement and be more
environmentally friendly."

Source: manchestereveningnews.co.uk
19/09/07

Vietnams Flower Exports to China Rise 20%

Vietnam earned some 48,000 U.S. dollars
from exporting fresh flowers to China in
September, up 20 percent over August,
according to local newspaper. Vietnamese
flowers from central highlands Da Lat city,
Hanoi capital and northern Hai Phong city,
including rose, daisy and orchid, are much
favored by Chinese southern cities as
Guangzhou and Shenzhen
.
Quang Ba flower market is the wholesale
flower market in Hanoi, which operates from
12am to 6am the next day. There are
hundreds of growers around Hanoi coming
here to trade flowers, selling to florists in
the city and street sellers, the rest to
couples and people like me who love
flowers. The best time to visit the market is
from 1 am because that's the time the
growers bring their flowers by motorbikes
and trucks. They display their flowers on the
ground and on the back of their motorbikes.
The buyers check the flowers by torch and
start bargaining. For 100 beautiful roses you
usually pay one dollar. This market is a
popular place for couples, to give each other
flowers and propose. This is such a good
idea for romantics. Locals and tourists
usually come here to buy flowers for parties
and also sit down at the small shop in the
middle of the market, talking and having a
drink. Most of the active people are men
from rural areas around Hanoi who transport
flowers from their villages up to Quang Ba
for their family business.

Source: Flowerweb 19/09/07+Xinhua
02/10/07

India: Domestic Market Hits Flower Exports, Likely to
Miss 2010 Target

Floriculture in India is being viewed as a
high growth industry but export of flowers
face infrastructural problems like bad
interior road, inadequate refrigerated
transport and storage facilities besides
domestic marketing problems. Tedious phyto
sanitary certification and an unorganized
domestic market also hinder exports. There
is also a shortage of trained manpower to
handle commercial floriculture activity.
While Indian growers have been successful in
producing world class quality flowers at low
costs, high air freight rates, low cargo
capacity available, imposition of import
duties, inadequate export infrastructure
etc. have reduced their competitiveness,
according to a study conducted by the
Punjab Agricultural University (PAU).

According to the study the area under
flowers has crossed 100,000 hectares in
India. Floriculture in India includes
traditional flowers such as marigold,
jasmine, aster, rose, chrysanthemum,
tuberose as well as modern flowers like
carnation, gerbera, gladiolus, anthurium,
etc. Referring to the production scenario,
the study pointed out that the domestic
flower production had shown a growth in the
recent past. The country had made
noticeable advancement in the production
of flowers. The growing of contemporary cut
flowers like rose, gladiolus, tuberose,
carnation, etc had led to their use for
bouquets and arrangements of gifts, as well
as decoration of both home and work place.
A growing market had led to transformation
of the activity of flower growing into a
burgeoning industry. The study stated that
the agro-climatic conditions in India
facilitate production of all major flowers
throughout the year in some part or the
other. The improved transportation facilities
had increased the availability of flowers all
over the country.

The study further pointed out that
marketing of cut flowers in India was very
unorganized at present. In most
metropolitan cities, with large market
potential, flowers are brought to wholesale
markets, which mostly operate in open
yards. A few large flower merchants
generally buy most of the produce and
distribute it to local retail outlets after
significant markup. The retail florist shops
also usually operate in the open, on
roadsides, with different flowers arranged in
large buckets. In the metros, however, there
are some good florist show rooms, where
flowers are kept in controlled temperature
conditions, with considerable attention to
value added services, the study said.

Floriculture exports from India had
increased from Rs 430 million in 1995-96 to
nearly Rs 3 billion (US$ 76 million) in 2005-
06. This witnessed a growth of 35.4 per cent
over the previous years value. There are
more than 300 export-oriented units in India
but many of them operate at less than 50
per cent of their capacity. By addressing the
problems of the floriculture industry the
government can turn this industry into a
viable enterprise for earning foreign
exchange.

However, India may well miss its target for
floriculture exports by 2010, says a leading
industry body. Floriculture exports are likely
to reach Rs.7 billion by 2010 end against the
set target of Rs.10 billion (US$ 254 million),
said a study conducted by the Associated
Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India
(Assocham).

For India to achieve the target of Rs.10
billion exports by 2010, key issues such as
economies of scale, product range,
incorporation of latest varieties and quality
control and certification, besides creation of
effective cold chain management need to be
addressed.

Items that have business as well as
commercial potential such as cut flowers,
dry flowers, seeds, potted plants and micro-
propagated plantlets should be encouraged,
the body recommended. It also suggested
greater mobilization of resources with the
increased cooperation from financial
institutions for the exporters. The chamber
has also suggested setting up of an export
promotion council, establishment of
appropriate marketing and distribution
channels, abolition of import duty on inputs
and reduction in existing airfreight tariff
structure to promote exports in countries
like the Netherlands, Germany, France, Italy
and Japan.

The annual domestic demand for the flowers
is growing at a rate of over 25 percent
Assocham highlighted. Enormous genetic
diversity, varied agro climatic conditions
and versatile human resources offer India a
unique scope for judicious employment of
existing resources and exploration of
avenues yet untouched, it added.

Sources : newkerala.com 17/09/07 +
NewsPost India 20/08/09

Sub Saharan East Africa: Flowers Among Region's Trade
Strengths

A study conducted by the United States
International Trade Commission has
identified cut flowers, fish (prepared and
preserved), flat-rolled steel, garments and
apparels, financial services and tourism as
the sectors where East African economies
have the biggest comparative advantages in
global trade. According to a 214-page report
titled Sub-Saharan Africa: Factors Affecting
Trade Patterns of Selected Industries, Kenya
enjoys a comparative advantage in five of
the six sectors in which the East African
economies can compete favourably at the
international level - making it the most
grounded exporter in the region. Kenya's
Achilles' heel is, surprisingly, the financial
services sector.

Uganda comes second with a comparative
advantage in three (cut flowers, tourism and
financial services) of the six sectors, while
Tanzania is third, enjoying a comparative
advantage in only tourism and flat-rolled
steel. Rwanda is fourth with tourism being
the only sector where it can make
substantial gains against competitors on the
global market. According to the study's
findings, while increased demand was the
predominant factor affecting export growth
in the selected industries in the 2001-05
period, a number of government policies and
initiatives related to investment,
infrastructure, trade agreements and
regional integration also contributed
significantly. Kenya is specifically mentioned
in the report as a case study of how
favourable government policies can
influence the growth of exports in a specific
sector. The report notes that the Kenyan
government attributes early growth of the
floriculture sector in the 1990s in part to the
liberal macroeconomic policy environment
and government encouragement of foreign
investment and international trade. "The
Kenyan government's National Export
Strategy focuses on certain priority sectors,
including horticulture, which includes cut
flowers," says the report, further explaining
that the government's main role in
encouraging the
floriculture industry
has been to provide
infrastructure
development,
incentives and support
services. The investment
and business environment
in Kenya has been enhanced
through government divestiture and
privatisation; the abolition of import and
export licensing; the removal of
administrative and price controls; freedom
of movement of foreign exchange in and out
of the country; liberalisation in the banking
sector; and the removal of import duties on
packaging, seeds, agro-chemicals and other
necessary inputs for floriculture exports,"
the report adds. These policies have made
Kenya's cut flower industry the world's
second largest after Colombia, having
leapfrogged Ecuador and the Netherlands,
which were ahead of it in 2000. By far the
largest producer of cut flowers in sub-
Saharan Africa, Kenya registered an average
growth rate of 111 per cent between 2001
and 2005. In 2005, Kenya earned $357.7
million from cut flower exports - up from
the $310.6 million that it earned the year
before. Although Uganda is way off the
pace compared with Kenya, its own earnings
from cut flowers also grew substantially with
the country earning $35 million in 2005 - $10
million more than what South Africa earned
in the same year. On the whole, total sub-
Saharan cut flower exports rose steadily
between 2001 and 2005 - increasing by 65
per cent over that period as other countries
in East and Southern Africa attempted to
replicate Kenya's success in floriculture. This
was at least 20 per cent higher than the
global exports growth rate of 41 per cent,
which saw the total global earnings rise from
$1.7 billion in 2001 to more than $2.4 billion
in 2005.

Source: East African (Nairobi)11/09/07


Rwanda: Dutch Fund Training Flower Farmers

Karuturi Networks, a little-known Bangalore
Nuffic, a Dutch institute, has given the
Rwanda Flower Farmers Association funds to
help train farmers in better farming and
production strategies. The move will
position the country as a leading flower
grower in the Great Lakes Region. Rwanda is
hoping to increase flower gardens to 200
hectares in three years for export to the
European markets. According to the
association's president, Gabriel
Ngendabanga, the money will sponsor 20
members from six cooperative unions in
different provinces for a field study tour in
Naivasha, Kenya. "Training will run for three
months and expose Rwandan growers to
modern commercial flower growing,"
Ngendabanga said. It will particularly cover
crop management, pest and disease control,
fertilization, post harvest and package
handling. Focus will be put upon various
species of roses. The association, which
started with two hectares of flowers, has
increased to 42 hectares in Butare and 50
hectares in the Northern Province. Currently
the association has 1,600 farmers.

Source: allafrica.com 24/09/07

Uganda: Flowers Sector for Shake Up

Things are not looking so rosy for Uganda's
flower farms after two of the country's key
investors signaled their intention to exit
trade. While their motivations may be
different, the move has the potential to
cause a major shakeup in the industry.
Rosebud and Victoria Flowers, both located
on the shores of Lake Victoria in Entebbe,
have shown indications to quit Uganda's
burgeoning flower trade. Rosebud and
Victoria flower firms plan to exit the
business due to lack of government
incentives. Rosebud is a $13 million (Shs22.7
billion) investment employing more
than1000 people. The owner said he wants
to sell off his 11-hectare farm was to
concentrate on other businesses. "I am
looking for an investor to buy the flower
farm. This is not about making losses and
there is no way I can sell a loss-making
business". Early last year, the two flower
farms were hit by a storm that raged across
the northern shores of the often-peaceful
Lake Victoria. The strong winds brought
down almost all the greenhouses, destroying
the flowers within. This ripped apart the
irrigation systems, leading to a $7.2 million
(about Shs13 billion) loss. This calamity was
later in the year translated into the annual
export earnings when the entire industry
realized losses. According to the figures
from the Export Promotion Board (UEPB),
flower exports registered $32 million (Shs59
billion) in 2006, down from $36 million
(Shs66 billion) recorded the previous year.
While the big two have considered exiting,
other companies have put more money into
expansion programmes. UFEA Executive
Director Juliet Musoke said: "Four investors
have expressed interest to start operations
here. Of these one has started laying the
ground work and the three are waiting for
logistical issues to be sorted". Ms Musoke
said a good climate, which provides all year
round production compared to other flower
growing countries, had attracted many
investors into the country at the same time
motivating existing ones. "Uganda's climate
is good for the cuttings unlike in other areas
the reason we chose to stay here," Mr Olav
Boenders, the managing director of Wagagai
flower farm in Entebbe with 9 hectares of
roses, and 5 hectares of chrysanthemum
cuttings.
Ms Musoke said the development would be a
positive move towards UFEA's expansion
programme of the industry. UFEA intends to
double production from the present 200-
hectare to at least 400 by 2010 under the
Uganda National Floriculture Industry
Strategy, which is expected to translate into
an annual export earning in excess of $50
million (Shs87.5 billion), up from about $30
million (Shs52.5 billion) recorded at the
close of 2006. More than 10,000 people were
expected to get jobs up from the current
6,000. The association currently has a
membership of 20 companies, which export
more than 7,500 metric tones of roses and
chrysanthemum cuttings.

According to Mr Hiten Shah, the financial
controller of Fiduga Limited, the company
has is expanding from15 hectares to 18
hectares. "We want to meet the increasing
demand," Mr Shah said.

Mr Hudda Mahmood, the managing director
of Mairye Flower Farm said: "We have
started expanding and we hope to double
our production from the 20 hectares to 40
hectares in the next five years". Mr
Mahmood however said this is to take
advantage of the government's expected
implementation of the promised incentives
and a reduction in the freight costs. Freight
in Uganda is 20 percent more expensive
compared to Kenya and Ethiopia, Uganda's
immediate competitors in the region, he
argued.

Recently, a joint venture between the
Uganda-based Madhvani Group and the
Netherlands-based Flower Direct announced
that it would start the nation's first
chrysanthemum flowers farm. Madhvani
Group said it expected to earn 1.4 million
euros (Shs3.2 billion) from 13 hectares in its
first year.

In his budget 2007/8 speech, Dr Ezra Suruma
announced incentives to attract investors
into Uganda, which included a 10-year tax
holiday to companies engaged in value
added exports, withholding tax exemptions
and stamp duty exemptions for those
engaged in share capital and mortgage
business. He also granted a waiver on duty
on raw materials, plant and machinery.

Allafrica.com / The Monitor (Kampala)
11/09/07

Ethiopia: Countrys Flower Sector Outgrows Kenya

Ethiopia is now Africa's second largest flower
exporter after Kenya, with its export
earnings growing by 500 per cent over the
past year. This has left Kenya stunned, given
that five years ago, the Horn of Africa
country was doing less than $20 million of
exports compared with the East African
giant's $300 million. It is estimated that, this
year, Ethiopia will close its books at $120
million, slightly less than half of Kenya's
earnings. "It has taken Ethiopia five years to
achieve half of what we have in three
decades," Kenya Flower Council chairman
Erastus Mureithi said. Going by this rate,
Kenya could be overtaken by Ethiopia in a
decade, he added.

It is now estimated that Ethiopian flower
exports could generate an about $300
million in just another two-three years.
According to the head of the Ethiopia export
promotion department, Melaku Legesse, the
export estimates are based on revenues
earned over the past two years as well as
growing demand for licenses to grow flowers
for the international market. Investors from
the Netherlands, Germany, India and Israel
have secured licenses for floricultural
developments covering 1,700 hectares of
land in the central region alone.
Investors from Uganda and Kenya have also
jumped on the bandwagon, citing incentives
they have failed to secure in their own
countries. Sher Agencies, a Kenyan flower
firm reputed to be the largest flower outfit
in the world, is already operating one of the
largest farms in Ethiopia.

Two years ago, Ethiopia went shopping for
investors who were promised an attractive
investment package of a five-year tax
holiday, duty free machinery imports, and
easy access to bank loans, all these sugar-
coated with 70 per cent investment bank
funding and easy acquisition of leased
government land at $18 per hectare. The
package was rated an alluring snare for
project-hungry investors, particularly from
Holland, who in addition to Ethiopia's offer
got something else from their own
government - development grants for
shifting their production to The Horn.
Another notable group of investors were
white farmers from Zimbabwe whose farms
were seized under President Mugabe's
infamous land redistribution policy. A
number went to try their luck in Ethiopia,
where they have since settled.

As all this was happening, Kenyan and
Ugandan flower farmers were appealing to
their governments for support, but their
pleas went unheeded even as exporters
threatened to relocate to Ethiopia. Two of
Uganda's exporters are reported to have
relocated while four Kenyan growers have
opened operations in Ethiopia.

Reports now indicate that Ethiopia's flowers
are rapidly gaining market acceptance even
in countries like Japan where Kenya, says
KFC chief executive officer Jane Ngige, has
not made inroads. A major United Kingdom
retail chain, Morrisons, announced recently
that it would soon stock Ethiopian flowers
such as roses, carnations and hypericum.
And an Indian floriculturist, Karuturi
Networks, is among the latest investors to
set up shop in Ethiopia with a 50-hectare
farm at Holeta, west of Addis Ababa, and
plans to acquire an additional hectare, Mr
Melaku reported. The managing director of
Karuturi Networks, KS Ramakrishna, said
Ethiopia's proximity to European and West
Asian markets, its climate and attractive
investment conditions led the company to
establish operations there.

There are about 70 flower farms in Ethiopia,
of which 45 per cent are owned by local
people and the remaining 55 per cent by
foreign investors. This is similar to the
situation in Kenya, which has just over 100
active flower exporters, half of them
foreign-owned and members of the Flower
Council, who supply 80 per cent of the
country's exports.

Some 39 foreign investment projects were
licensed to be engaged in the flower sector
in 2006/2007 alone, the Ethiopian
Investment Agency's latest data indicated.
Presently, there are 161 licensed foreign
investment projects registered for flower
production activities, which constitute 68
percent of the total projects so far
registered, including the local ones.
According to the data, the number of local
projects registered in the sector has reached
75. The sector has kept attracting foreign
investment to date, the data indicated. In
the last one-month-and-half alone five new
foreign investment projects in the field were
licensed.

Sources: Allafrica.com /East African
(Nairobi)11/09/07 + Flowerweb 24/09/07

Ethiopia: Flower Exporters Strengthen Ties to Japan

Flower exports to Japan reached 70,000
stems per week a year after export was
launched to world's second largest economy
in 2006. The Japanese Ambassador to
Ethiopia vowed in a traditional flower
arrangement demonstration held at the
Addis Abeba City Hall that Japan would
increase its flower imports from Ethiopia. A
group of Japanese flower arrangement
professionals arrived on the eve of the
Ethiopian Millennium and demonstrated a
flower arrangement ceremony, ikebana. The
flower arrangement presentation was
organised by the Ethiopian Women Exporters
Association and the Japanese Ambassador
and staff of the Embassy. Brehane Deressa,
mayor of Addis Abeba, said on the occasion
that Ethiopia and Japan have close cultural
similarities and ties, which is reinforced
through cultural exchanges. The Japanese
professionals also staged another
demonstration to give Ethiopians the
opportunity to learn the art first hand.

The flower industry in Ethiopia is labour-
intensive and currently employs 50,000
people, out of which 70pc are women. The
sector is exponentially expanding,
particularly in Rift Valley area. However,
the fledgling business is suffering the
repercussions of lack of local demand as
almost all produces are exported.

Tsegaye Abebe, chiarman of Horticulture
Producers and Exporters Association, said
that the flower export to Japan and the rest
of the world has shown a continuous
increase in volume and earnings. Hadia M.
Gonji, flower exporter and vice president of
Ethiopian Women Exporters Association, told
that the country is benefiting considerably
from the sector and there is still unutilised
capacity. A significant proportion of the
floriculture farms in Ethiopia are located
around Addis Abeba within a 10km radius.
Although 200 projects in the floriculture
industry have been licensed, only 60 of the
licensed flower farms go into operations
currently. Hadia also added that the
demonstrations would help to increase
domestic consumption, boosting local
demand to supplement the export
predominately to the Netherlands.

The Japanese Ambassador stressed that the
success that has been achieved in coffee
export promotion through traditional coffee
ceremony should also be repeated in the
flower sector through developing a culture
of local flower consumption.

Data from the Ethiopian Customs Authority
show that in 2006/07, Ethiopia generated
over 63 million dollars from the export of
flowers showing a 289pc growth from that of
the previous year.

Source: Allafrica.com /Addis Fortune
(Addis Ababa) 17/09/07

Kenya: Horticultural Bodies Prepares for Merger

The rivalry between Kenya's horticultural
associations is set to come to an end
following plans to merge the Fresh Produce
Exporters Association and the Kenya flower
council. The two bodies have for years been
locked up in intense competition, leading to
fragmentation of the sector which now faces
several challenges in the world market.
Stringent standards from an increasingly
environmentally aware consumer in Europe
with regard to agronomic practices,
sanitation, labour practices and the current
carbon miles threat of air freighted products
are some of the challenges. Only last week
the International Trade Centre opposed
moves that could see valuable organic label
removed from Kenyan products as one of a
range of measures being considered by UK
based certifier, the Soil Association, to
reduce the impact of airfreight. The merger,
players in the industry say, will help the two
address these challenges under one roof and
abolish the multiplicity and duplication of
roles that have significantly impeded the
growth of the sector.

Under the newly established umbrella body,
to be named the Kenya Horticultural
Council, two units will be created to cater
for the domestic market, which is fast
growing, while another will cater for
international consumers. Though the sector
earned the country Ksh 49 billion (US$ 710
million) last year, and recorded a growth
rate of 14 percent, much more has to be
done to increase market accessibility to the
European Union and other emerging
markets. The move, officials say, will make
the industry more vibrant by consolidating
the roles played by the two groups and
increase efficiency and competitiveness in
the sector, which employs about 4 million
people in the rural areas.

One of the challenges facing the umbrella
body would be to lobby the government to
establish a competent structured authority
that would act as a one-stop-shop for all
levies and certification centre. Currently
both exporters of cut flower and
horticulture have to transport their
commodities to different institutions for
certification and payment of various levies
making the process difficult and tedious.

Sources: Allafrica.com /East African
Business Week 10/09/07 + Flowerweb
26/09/07

Kenyan Flowers Head for Comesa

More of Kenyas flowers will go to the
Common Market for Eastern and Central
Africa countries in a new initiative by Kenya
Flower Council and the Kenya Flower
Vendors Association.
At an exhibition dubbed Soko la Maua flower
market in Nairobi, the two organisations
showcased flowers grown in the countries
and said that it was the beginning of an
annual event where consumers in the region
will be introduced to the culture of using
flowers to express emotions such as love,
sadness, gratitude, remorseful, and
goodwill.

Council chairman Erastus Mureithi said the
flower culture has failed to take root in
Africa, despite its being deeply entrenched
in Europe, where more than 90 per cent of
Kenyas flowers are sold.

Under the new arrangement, the Flower
Council will assist vendors to acquire quality
flowers and arrange them in accordance
with the latest trends in international
markets. According to Jane Ngige, chief
executive officer of the Council, domestic
consumption of flowers holds potential
investment opportunities, especially for the
young people who are the projects main
target. She said that flowers that are not
exported because of minor defects could be
prepared to suit local buyers instead of
being discarded, as is the current practice.
Mrs Ngige said that the Comesa region, if
tapped, could prove a viable alternative to
the stringent export market, which is
currently threatened by the carbon miles
debate among other changing standards.
If the region embraces the flower culture
the way the Council wants it to, a new
generation of growers could be supported.
The council is prepared to assist them to
comply with a code of practice that
encourages farmers to take care of the
environment by constructing wetlands and
adopting new technologies like
containerized growing where water is re-
used. This group of farmers will be
specifically growing flowers for local
consumption.

The development could tilt the balance to
the same side as the vegetables and fruits
sector where just under a third is exported.
According to the Horticultural Crops
Development Authority, local consumption
of fruits and vegetables is estimated to be
worth Ksh120 billion ($1.79 billion)
compared with export earnings of Ksh49
billion ($731million).

The biggest challenge which the council
says it is up to is promoting a flower
culture in a region where the whole thing is
considered alien. We want to enable
people in the region to appreciate the
beauty of flowers that are produced in their
own countries, Mrs Ngige said.

Except on Valentines Day February 14
observed internationally as a lovers day
with red roses, it is rare to see people
carrying flowers. Even on Valentines many
people frown at the idea, but what might
not be commonly known is that it is more
expensive to buy a flower here than it is in
Europe on that day. A bunch of red roses
goes for Ksh 500 ($7.5) while a stem sells at
between Ksh 50 and Ksh100 (75 US cents-
$1.5)

Part of the local flower promotion will
include educating consumers on
preservation, considered a major reason for
shunning the commodity. The vendors will
be trained in handling technicalities. Both
vendors and consumers will be educated on
the meaning of different colours and
varieties of flowers. Except for the red rose,
which signifies love, the majority is totally
ignorant about other colours such as yellow,
pink and the various combinations.
Farmers who attended the Soko la Maua
show are excited about the prospects of
exporting flowers within the Comesa region,
especially to countries not requiring
airfreight, considered the biggest
expenditure in the business. Flowers from
the City Market in Nairobi go as far as
Zambia, Tanzania and Uganda albeit in
small quantities because the business has
not been adequately promoted. The flower
vendors are now rooting for a location where
consumers can access flowers easily.

Source: Nationmedia.com /The East
African 04/09/07

Events Calendar

Flower Days Calendar

Month Day Event / Holiday Country
12 National Day Spain
14 Teachers Appreciations Day Poland
16 National Boss Day USA
19 Chung Yeung Festival China
20 Sweetest Day USA
23 National Day Hungary
24 United Nations Day USA
28 Independence Day Czech Republic
October
31 Halloween
November 1 All Saints Day
2 All Souls Day
3 Culture Day Japan
4 Accord and Reconciliation Day Russia
7 Election Day USA
11 Fathers Day Finland, Norway, Sweden
11 Liberations Day WWI France
12 Veterans Day USA
Source: BBH
Exhibitions and Conferences

Source: BBH
Dates Event Country
30 Sept 2 Oct Hortech Colombia Bogota, Colombia
3-5 October Proflora 2007 Cartagena, Colombia
3-4 October Canadian Greenhouse Conference Toronto, Canada
4-6 October Fl. Nursery + Allied Trade Show Orlando, Fl. USA
4-7 October Flora Olomouc Autumn Season Olomouc
9-12 October
Horti Fair International Flower
Trade Show
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
11-13 October
IFEX 2007, International Flower
Expo Tokyo
Makuhari, Japan
17-19 October Iberflora Valencia, Spain
6-8 November Expo Flowers Iran 2007 Teheran, Iran
8-11 November First International Flower Expo Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Statistical Information

Quarterly Price Statistic, European Markets
Accumulated sales results of the Dutch VBN flower auctions over weeks 01 through 39 in
2007

Notes on the statistical data below
Cut Flowers

Accumulatively from January 1 until September 30 2007 the total sold quantities of all origins
(domestic and import supplies) in all the Dutch auctions have decreased by -0.4% only, compared
to the same period of 2006; nearly to be neglected. The months that supplied quantities were
relatively lower this year were August and September, during which months the prices were
rather high, especially taking in account that these two are more or less summer months. In the
prior reports it was already mentioned that the very moderate summer weather this year was a
major reason for these lower quantities and higher prices. Import quantities were, however,
slightly higher than last year with some +3.5%. Per product quite some differences could be
noticed. Much bigger total quantities were supplied and sold this year of the products: ammi
majus, anemones, eustoma, mini gerberas, hypericum, leucadendron, lilies LA and oriental,
ornithogalum, ranunculus, and tea roses. Much lower quantities of products: spray carnations,
carthamus, delphinium, liatris, lilies Asiatic and longiflorum, small and sweetheart roses, spray
roses, rudbeckia, solidago, trachelium, and wax flowers.
Prices, in general, were slightly higher in 2007. For the 8.8 billion flowers one cent more was
paid than last year and even two cents more than in 2005. For the auctions this 8.8 billion cents
means an amount of 88 million euros higher turnover, which is a significant amount. Per product
best prices were paid for: carnations, carthamus, delphinium, eustoma, spray roses, rudbeckia,
trachelium and veronica. Relatively lower prices for: ammi majus, asters, hypericum, proteas
and ranunculus. Rose prices were only, but slightly higher this year, with one cent per stem.

Houseplants

During the first nine months of 2007 total supplied and sold quantities were nearly identical to
the two previous years. However, prices were higher this year by 12 cent per piece, compared to
2006 and 22 cents higher than in 2005. Taking in account the total sold quantities of 650 million
plants the added turnover was 6.5 million ; not bad at all. Remarkable was the much lower
supply of nearly all the ficus varieties, while prices for all these types were considerably better
this year. Per sold product quantities were considerably bigger of: chamaedorea,
chrysalidocarpus, cordyline, cycas, phoenix canariensis and roebelinii and all sanseveria. Lower
quantities this year, compared to the same period of 2006 of: cocos palms, most of the dracaena
and ficus types and yuccas.
Prices were considerably better this year for: cocos palms, most of the dracaena and ficus types,
phoenix roebelinii, yucca single canes and tips. Lower prices for: aglaonema, chamaedorea,
chrysalidocarpus, cordyline compacta purple stripes, cycas, and most of the sanseveria types.

Prices

Weekly data is provided in kindness of the Dutch Flower Auctions Association (VBN).
Weekly quantities and prices are the sum over all the following auctions in The Netherlands:
Aalsmeer, FH Naaldwijk, FH Rijnsburg, FH Bleiswijk, FH Eelde, FH ZON, VON, and Vleuten.
The accumulated data below is the sum of the weekly sales results of all the above flower
auctions over weeks 01 through 39 in 2007

Index:
All Countries Total products, originating from The Netherlands and all other supplying countries.
Import Products supplied from exporting countries, excluding The Netherlands.
Top 10 importing countries are:
Kenya, Israel, Ecuador, Uganda, South Africa, Spain, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Germany, and
Italy
Qnt_ Quantities sold, in Stems (for cut flowers) or in Units (for plants)
P_ Average price per Stem (for cut flowers) or per Unit (for plants) in Euro
Green number is higher than in 2006 Red number is lower than in 2006
Cut Flowers All Countries

Group Name Product Name Qnt_2007 Qnt_2006 Qnt_2005 P_07 P_06 P_05
Cut Flowers Total
8,832,496,20
8,870,773,072 9,161,091,082 0.22 0.21 0.20
Alstroemeria Total 191,810,146 192,124,334 206,977,024 0.16 0.15 0.14
Ammi majus Total 10,483,629 7,505,106 6,818,735 0.15 0.19 0.16
Anemone Total 54,765,796 47,667,294 49,682,558 0.11 0.11 0.11
Anthurium Total 61,435,198 62,340,523 65,316,923 0.52 0.50 0.44
Aster Total 24,666,976 21,001,068 27,639,335 0.22 0.25 0.21
Carnations Spray Total 42,839,652 69,468,132 79,083,111 0.13 0.10 0.10
Carnations Stan. Total 107,302,592 104,942,616 103,252,327 0.17 0.15 0.15
Carthamus Total 14,684,650 18,147,429 18,892,439 0.17 0.14 0.15
Chrysant. Spray Total
1,000,052,38
1,001,941,200 1,036,018,223 0.22 0.21 0.21
Delphinium Total 19,637,672 24,310,846 24,764,838 0.33 0.25 0.25
Eustoma Total 91,155,703 89,562,853 92,302,740 0.34 0.31 0.29
Gerbera Large Total 146,075,541 144,061,116 167,786,519 0.23 0.24 0.22
Gerbera Mini Total 502,180,355 434,686,144 409,399,499 0.12 0.13 0.13
Gladiolus Big Total 50,842,955 50,229,827 50,069,831 0.16 0.15 0.14
Gypsophila Total 132,788,123 132,334,629 131,840,178 0.19 0.19 0.19
Helianthus Total 55,095,704 55,413,229 55,874,717 0.30 0.27 0.27
Hypericum Total 142,038,307 114,169,822 130,822,895 0.15 0.17 0.16
Leucadendron Total 20,647,597 18,681,567 16,824,623 0.15 0.15 0.16
Liatris Total 4,400,324 5,842,350 7,179,692 0.16 0.16 0.14
Lilium Asiatic Total 40,908,863 41,963,973 67,068,053 0.34 0.35 0.28
Lilium LA Total 58,550,988 51,328,094 49,430,884 0.34 0.34 0.31
Lilium Longiflor. Total 52,459,565 59,479,395 56,409,451 0.40 0.37 0.40
Lilium Oriental Total 128,237,349 117,963,229 110,437,522 0.60 0.58 0.61
Limonium Total 45,546,818 46,588,474 54,184,831 0.21 0.20 0.19
Nerine Total 2,278,411 2,523,200 2,675,862 0.39 0.36 0.34
Ornithogalum Total 49,821,293 45,287,155 43,519,390 0.16 0.15 0.14
Protea Total 2,517,194 2,315,821 2,640,401 0.81 0.91 0.94
Ranunculus Total 63,218,329 56,095,019 51,431,942 0.13 0.15 0.14
Rose Large Total
1,823,928,76
1,728,214,287 1,698,805,587 0.28 0.27 0.25
Rose large Akito 78,743,286 82,051,442 83,343,010 0.22 0.20 0.18
Rose large Avalanche+ 90,662,827 64,374,856 52,097,427 0.39 0.34 0.32
Rose large First Red 14,628,786 19,504,066 38,494,886 0.23 0.29 0.23
Rose large Grand Prix 101,829,198 81,167,535 86,984,771 0.47 0.52 0.43
Rose large Inka 22,841,857 25,523,840 34,821,681 0.13 0.13 0.13
Rose large Milva 19,809,669 28,945,480 35,325,907 0.20 0.23 0.25
Rose large Passion 157,402,979 152,675,453 152,938,498 0.38 0.37 0.32
Rose large Red Berlin 4,219,580 27,402,446 52,619,729 0.37 0.30 0.25
Rose large Sphinx 51,888,688 69,884,132 76,971,775 0.22 0.19 0.20
Rose large Vendela 33,632,865 39,236,365 43,335,106 0.34 0.31 0.27
Rose Small Total 600,722,823 711,143,599 912,043,926 0.13 0.12 0.11
Rose Small Black Beauty 5,170,800 13,807,280 24,901,335 0.11 0.10 0.09
Rose Small Candid Prophyta 17,236,470 25,632,976 26,294,019 0.17 0.16 0.16
Rose Small Chelsea 41,001,445 45,288,247 49,468,702 0.12 0.12 0.13
Rose Small Escimo 16,461,582 23,951,481 28,818,193 0.13 0.11 0.11
Rose Small Frisco 11,476,282 33,549,160 52,955,290 0.08 0.10 0.10
Rose Small Golden Gate 10,677,986 15,168,271 20,748,687 0.11 0.13 0.13
Rose Small Mixed Colors 117,591,157 128,611,297 147,647,682 0.10 0.10 0.08
Rose Small Poeme! 21,082,166 26,880,870 36,769,387 0.12 0.11 0.11
Rose Small Red Calypso 56,706,748 44,046,124 44,427,064 0.14 0.14 0.11
Rose Small Sacha 5,975,842 12,098,370 20,310,064 0.14 0.13 0.13
Rose Small Sunbeam 10,726,775 19,482,428 26,335,798 0.12 0.13 0.13
Rose Spray Total 51,634,051 55,984,646 67,362,120 0.36 0.29 0.24
Rudbeckia Total 1,414,395 3,876,835 3,784,635 0.14 0.08 0.09
Ruscus Total 47,274,376 48,250,503 51,953,753 0.09 0.08 0.08
Solidago Total 75,321,197 79,660,245 83,947,144 0.13 0.13 0.13
Trachelium Total 18,292,732 24,023,051 27,981,309 0.25 0.20 0.20
Tulip Total
1,317,945,30
8
1,383,952,884 1,348,983,732 0.14 0.14 0.12
Veronica Total 41,876,036 43,779,630 40,043,394 0.17 0.13 0.14
Wax Flower Total 36,808,318 45,080,892 41,694,894 0.16 0.15 0.14
Cut Flowers Import

Cut Flowers Total 2,608,115,569 2,515,005,144 2,584,368,664 0.16 0.16 0.14
Alstroemeria Total 5,924,145 7,397,911 8,090,156 0.12 0.12 0.11
Ammi majus Total 8,469,725 6,248,200 5,503,115 0.14 0.20 0.16
Anemone Total 46,729,811 36,725,447 34,858,897 0.10 0.09 0.09
Aster Total 12,103,335 11,183,306 11,388,151 0.19 0.21 0.19
Carnations Spray Total 26,064,011 46,496,495 54,091,700 0.10 0.09 0.08
Carnations Stan. Total 68,900,972 59,625,185 57,339,077 0.15 0.13 0.14
Carthamus Total 3,983,405 4,659,571 5,192,988 0.17 0.18 0.16
Chrysant. Spray Total 1,525,382 812,750 559,102 0.14 0.16 0.16
Delphinium Total 7,349,700 10,611,825 8,964,968 0.23 0.17 0.17
Eustoma Total 14,526,886 12,581,185 11,465,710 0.25 0.24 0.20
Gerbera Large Total 8,789,702 10,043,587 11,407,499 0.23 0.21 0.19
Gerbera Mini Total 467,315 586,578 814,938 0.19 0.14 0.16
Gladiolus Big Total 2,364,156 2,257,492 1,355,345 0.30 0.32 0.25
Gypsophila Total 128,361,167 124,107,006 118,211,241 0.18 0.19 0.19

Plants All Countries
Houseplants Total 650,057,733 641,845,887 650,079,489 1.53 1.41 1.31
Aglaonema Maria Christina 80,380 47,288 31,898 1.75 1.93 2.21
Aglaonema
Silver Queen
C
55,017 38,662 67,315 2.44 2.52 1.95
Chamaedorea Eleg. Narrow Leaf 10,643 34,617 294,816 1.32 0.60 0.40
Chamaedorea Eleg. Wide Leaf 5,333,038 4,428,398 4,788,093 0.53 0.56 0.56
Chrysalidocarpus Areca 4,163,311 3,871,740 3,023,125 3.08 3.17 3.42
Cocos Nucifera 70,978 143,822 87,906 2.65 2.49 2.57
Cordyline Red Edge 97,330 183,353 292,916 0.58 0.52 0.48
Cordyline Compac. Purple Strips 557,945 416,944 672,757 0.42 0.59 0.48
Helianthus Total 16,671,021 15,777,638 20,861,016 0.32 0.35 0.26
Hypericum Total 124,851,045 97,678,125 109,059,956 0.15 0.18 0.16
Leucadendron Total 20,396,917 18,215,307 16,490,449 0.15 0.15 0.16
Liatris Total 2,218,780 3,770,460 5,378,545 0.21 0.19 0.14
Lilium Asiatic Total 455,570 777,554 592,610 0.24 0.28 0.19
Lilium LA Total 456,165 319,576 189,145 0.27 0.20 0.21
Lilium Longiflor. Total 9,842,890 10,268,843 7,665,483 0.30 0.27 0.32
Lilium Oriental Total 1,137,970 1,278,412 1,338,300 0.44 0.30 0.37
Limonium Total 23,086,340 22,877,445 24,550,108 0.20 0.21 0.19
Nerine Total 180,150 153,850 74,508 0.31 0.31 0.35
Ornithogalum Total 42,811,576 38,396,183 35,149,886 0.15 0.15 0.14
Protea Total 2,508,364 2,300,675 2,512,184 0.81 0.92 0.95
Ranunculus Total 50,502,532 43,438,907 36,546,483 0.12 0.13 0.13
Rose Large Total 803,983,316 636,430,796 558,967,531 0.18 0.18 0.16
Rose large Akito 40,535,316 31,675,384 33,296,066 0.13 0.12 0.13
Rose large Duett 32,822,865 29,396,780 23,361,560 0.17 0.18 0.17
Rose large First Red 9,543,266 10,787,108 19,428,446 0.22 0.24 0.17
Rose large Inka 22,808,837 25,442,740 34,112,921 0.13 0.13 0.13
Rose large Inka (outdoor) 2,444,000 4,898,740 9,962,134 0.11 0.10 0.10
Rose large Jupiter 5,208,528 8,932,010 12,380,290 0.13 0.13 0.13
Rose large Marie-Claire! 37,396,790 29,203,212 22,071,135 0.23 0.25 0.25
Rose large Milva 15,961,229 17,042,580 15,990,867 0.17 0.18 0.19
Rose large Mixed Colors 29,634,616 36,291,660 26,130,219 0.19 0.18 0.18
Rose large Shanti 18,731,593 20,826,787 19,150,730 0.14 0.15 0.15
Rose large Tropical Amazone 10,714,272 9,906,840 10,469,010 0.13 0.15 0.15
Rose Small Total 573,114,368 650,531,299 801,217,330 0.13 0.12 0.11
Rose Small Black Beauty 4,372,220 11,484,720 21,466,355 0.10 0.10 0.09
Rose Small Candid Prophyta 16,680,730 24,723,856 24,397,938 0.17 0.16 0.16
Rose Small Chelsea 40,696,585 45,221,167 48,832,482 0.12 0.12 0.13
Rose Small Escimo 12,835,362 21,447,751 24,095,783 0.12 0.10 0.09
Rose Small Frisco 10,528,522 25,857,800 38,343,930 0.08 0.09 0.09
Rose Small Golden Gate 10,662,466 15,007,391 20,597,167 0.11 0.13 0.13
Rose Small Mixed Colors 116,004,577 126,177,141 142,610,674 0.10 0.10 0.08
Rose Small Poeme! 21,033,726 26,790,850 34,795,567 0.12 0.11 0.10
Rose Small Red Calypso 56,510,428 43,978,804 43,489,285 0.14 0.14 0.11
Rose Small Sunbeam 10,277,515 18,186,348 23,860,698 0.12 0.13 0.12
Rose small Sunnysher 21,988,035 28,692,373 39,768,585 0.13 0.13 0.13
Croton Aucubaefolia 38,662 19,764 26,525 0.90 1.04 0.55
Croton Gold Star 99,580 44,032 103,147 0.59 0.96 0.50
Croton Gold Sun 57,030 68,202 61,742 0.74 0.55 0.54
Croton Pictum 27,130 92,840 17,396 0.42 0.31 0.29
Cycas Revoluta 1,408,354 889,351 934,086 4.84 6.15 5.73
Dracaena Sanderiana 517,128 487,404 479,191 0.54 0.48 0.44
Dracaena Deremen. Warneckei 26,007 8,903 13,419 3.92 5.00 3.13
Dracaena Fragrans Compacta 392,336 561,061 469,459 0.73 0.62 0.60
Dracaena Fragrans Massangeana 181,807 250,304 146,887 1.44 1.23 1.38
Dracaena Margina. Bicolor 381,044 323,970 324,058 0.51 0.49 0.55
Dracaena Margina. Branched 42,190 49,432 100,390 6.59 6.99 5.12
Dracaena Margina. Single Canes 3,880,023 3,905,829 3,524,667 0.68 0.63 0.64
Dracaena Margina. Tips 291,482 378,350 477,052 0.41 0.40 0.42
Ficus Benjamina Braid 61,629 75,141 78,711 12.00 10.79 10.97
Ficus Benjamina Esther 123,559 153,660 140,375 0.63 0.50 0.53
Ficus Benjamina Exotica 418,195 706,921 653,477 3.70 3.36 3.75
Ficus Benjamina Golden King 245,221 292,948 348,490 2.23 1.99 2.27
Ficus Benjamina Monique 36,698 63,322 54,939 4.68 3.40 2.61
Ficus Benjamina Natasja 1,901,461 1,809,318 2,094,864 1.01 0.99 1.01
Ficus Benjamina Starlight 150,676 143,184 111,552 2.74 2.77 3.49
Ficus Binnendijk. Alii 98,793 121,636 218,677 5.66 5.25 3.49
Philodendron Red Emerald 44,123 44,302 39,404 5.81 5.61 6.07
Phoenix Canariensis 548,515 434,656 446,582 3.93 3.94 3.28
Phoenix Roebelenii 532,843 402,042 361,859 9.02 8.67 7.95
Polyscias Balfouriana 5,627 24,247 36,621 1.74 1.20 1.55
Sansevieria Futura Superba 741,507 518,375 536,248 0.94 1.20 1.47
Sansevieria Laurentii 668,736 407,792 214,652 1.72 2.49 2.95
Sansevieria cylindri. Skyline 76,966 46,324 1,551 6.23 10.18 6.97
Schefflera Arbor. Compacta 157,343 145,580 141,449 3.21 3.32 3.13
Schefflera Arbor. Gold Capella 446,891 482,878 507,362 2.41 2.33 2.64
Schefflera Arbor. Nora 660,751 742,058 748,918 1.07 1.10 1.16
Yucca Branched 48,558 43,031 28,415 15.45 15.54 16.50
Yucca Single cane 1,287,288 1,534,187 1,634,625 1.61 1.43 1.37

MNS Reports

Monthly
Market Trends in Europe, Events, Price Review, Regular features
65 varieties in 4 Asian markets (Cut Flowers)
94 varieties in 11 European markets (Cut Flowers)
45 varieties in 5 European markets (Ornamental Plants)

Fresh Tropical and Off-season Fruit and Vegetables
Some 85 tropical and off-season products in 11 European markets

Pharmaceutical Starting Materials/Essential Drugs
300 Most used substances in the production of essential drugs
(generics) traded in major markets
Quarterly
Fruit Juices
Products alternating between selected European Markets and the
United States market

Medicinal Plants & Extracts
A report covering various products in North America,
Europe,India, China and Africa

Precious and Semi Precious Stone
Covers African supply situation to importing countries, primarily
in the EU, the US, Japan, India and China.

Essential Oils & Oleoresins
Spices oils (including clove, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom);
Spices seeds oils (coriander and others); herb oils (basil, thyme.
sage); Citrus oils: perfumery oils (geranium, patchouli, vetiver
and others)
Bi-Monthly
Spices
Quoting 30 Products in selected markets in Asia, Europe, the
Middle East and the United States

Organics
Covers fruits and vegetables, fruit juice, coffee, tea, honey,
essential oil & oleoresins, and spices.

Market News Service
International Trade Centre
54-56 Rue de Montbrillant
Geneva, Switzerland
Tel : (+41) 22 7300 111
Fax: (+41) 22 7300 578
E-mail: mns@intracen.org

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