The flower industry in Colombia has a great need for technological innovation. This offers opportunities for Dutch horticulture companies, for example for greenhouse builders and manufacturers of sorting and packaging machines. This is said by director Jan Willem van Bokhoven of the Holland House in the Colombian capital Bogota.
Colombia the second largest exporter of cut flowers in the world, after the Netherlands. To maintain this position, the sector needs to modernize. Therefore the Colombian association of flower growers is urgently looking for foreign support to catch up. "The Dutch horticultural industry has built an excellent reputation in Colombia in recent years. There is a market for new entrants. The momentum is now," said Van Bokhoven.
Jan Willem van Bokhoven at the Proflora in Bogota
More Dutch companies
Van Bokhoven is director of the Holland House in Bogota. This organization supports Dutch companies that develop activities in Colombia. In the three years that the Holland House exists, the number of Dutch companies with offices in the South American country has increased greatly. Currently there are 150 Dutch companies active here, of which about fifty in the horticultural sector.
Modern flower sector
The fruit and vegetable sector is relatively small and sharply focused on the domestic market. The flower industry in contrast is modern and organized on a large scale. This sector produces for the international market. The cut flowers mainly go to the United States and in recent years increasingly also to Europe. Globally Colombia is in second place of flower exporters; in the field of exotic flowers it even takes first place.
Forty dominant companies
Approximately forty large cut flower companies dominate the sector. Most are located around Bogota, about ten in the vicinity of Medellin, the second largest city in the country. These companies are almost all owned by Colombian entrepreneurs. Some flower companies by now also have production sites in East Africa.
Shortage of staff
Van Bokhoven notes that the strong position of the Colombian flower sector is under pressure. "This is partly due to the depopulation of the countryside. This is the reason for labor shortage of the companies. Rising wages have to be added to this. Companies have to resort to labor-saving techniques, for example in the field of sorting and packaging. This offers opportunities for Dutch companies."
Climate change impacts
Climate change affects the flower growers in Colombia. The temperature extremes are getting bigger. "This requires better film greenhouses in order to keep the climate inside stable", says Van Bokhoven, who also sees opportunities in this field for Dutch suppliers.
In terms of quality there is a need to modernize the sector. Customers in the United States and Europe increasingly become more demanding. This requires technological adjustments so that in time the purchasing requirements can be met continuously.
Flower Fair Proflora in 2017
From October 4 – 6, 2017 the biennial Proflora flowers trade fair will be held. This is one of the largest flower shows in the world. According to Van Bokhoven, the fair provides an excellent opportunity for Dutch horticulture companies to arouse the interest of Colombian customers. "The Netherlands was invited by the Colombian flower sector to act as host country. Therefore Holland House and the Dutch Embassy will make the Dutch pavilion available for twelve Dutch companies who want to exhibit themselves here."
Click here for more information about the Holland House Colombia. Registration for the Holland Pavilion at the Proflora 2017 can be done here.
Source: Agroberichten Buitenland