Ukrainians are flower minded people. Despite the severe crisis, they didn't stop buying flowers - just cheaper ones and not in the same quantities. According to several exhibitors, the crisis is not over, but the Ukrainians seem to have gotten used to the situation and are spending money again. Women's Day, for example, is an important holiday for the ornamental industry in Ukraine, and this year's flower sales seemed to be very good. "The cash and carries that I visited were all sold out this year", says an exhibitor.
Rick Minck and Wilco Verkuil of Dümmen Orange
Tamara Elsgeest of Beekenkamp
Lejla Begovic of Deliflor
Many of the flowers sold during Women's Day were produced by Ukrainian growers. Due to the current exchange rate, these growers are doing well. The value of the Ukrainian hryvnia is low, so imported products are still expensive. This, combined with the fact that the hryvnia exchange rate has been quite stable over the last year, and the fact that florists are continuously looking for new varieties, made growers decide to invest in their crop, and they dare to test and plant new varieties again.
In short, Ukrainians are seeing light at the end of the tunnel, and many exhibitors expect that conditions in the country will gradually improve again. "We have to be patient," the general sentiment is.
Alexander Brjuhins and Klaus Wolf of Rosen Tantau, a German rose breeder
Lev and Yakov Sheinkman of Dolina
Today is the second day of the Flower Expo Ukraine. The show will last till March 23. FloralDaily is also present to make a photo report of the show. This report will be published on Monday, March 27.