Ecuador: smaller growers explore direct market at Agriflor

While visiting the Agriflor this year, two things will immediately strike one's attention: the ‘new faces’, and the broad assortment of flowers.

Ecuador is known for its rose production, but there are many more flowers grown, and a large variety is displayed at the Agriflor by these ‘new faces’.

Actually these faces aren't that new. They've been in the business for many years, and as many are smaller sized growers, they used to sell through brokers. So, for many buyers, not the product, but only the face behind this product is new. Now, these smaller growers are eager to explore the market of direct trade.

This year, Agriflor offers these growers the opportunity to explore the market, and many took the opportunity. At the show, over 70 smaller sized growers are exhibiting for the first time. "It not only enables us to get better prices for our products, while staying under the price level of many other products, it also offers us the opportunity to understand the needs of our clients", says one of the exhibiting growers.

The show is attracting buyers from all over the world. High interest is perceived from the Russian buyers. It is said that the lower prices for products directly from the farms is catching their interest.

But there is also high interest from US buyers in doing business with these smaller growers. These buyers indicate that they can do better business with the smaller growers, with more room for negotiation.

Next to these small first-time exhibiting growers, larger dyed in the wool exhibiting growers are present, as well as other large suppliers, cargo agencies and breeders. In total 132 companies are exhibiting at the Agriflor.

Today is the last day of the Agriflor, but also for the Expo Flor Ecuador. On Monday, the photo report of both shows will be published in FloralDaily. Below already a little preview of the Agriflor.

Brothers Christian and Omar Valdez of Irene Flowers. They grow 15 varieties of roses on 3 ha.

Melvin Brehler of Latinflor, one of the first nurseries in Ecuador - established 30 years ago. They grow gypsophila, thistle and sunflowers on 16 ha.

Jacqueline Coronel of Muru. They produce their own bred hypericum, sunflowers and thistles on 4 ha. Next year, they are planning to double this acreage.

Luis Serrano of Endless Spring Farms. They produce several types of sun flowers on 8 ha.

The team of Native Blooms. They grow roses on 26 ha at two plantations, one in the north and one in the south.

Yosef Gilles of Mardenkro, promoting the Reduflex Blue, especially for roses.

Stef Veenhof of Könst Alstroemeria. About 70 percent of the alstroemerias grown in Ecuador are Könst varieties.