16-31 July 2015:
Photo Report Cultivate '15, expansion D.S. Cole, cooperation Flamingo Holland & Gootjes AllPlant, opinions about probability Russian boycott and more
British footballing growers raise £27,000 for charity
Further that month: a team of football playing growers from the Vale of Evesham raised over £27,000 for Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Cancer Research UK. Made up of growers from horticultural businesses in the local area, Growers Utd FC was started in 2012 by Bal Padda, of Vicarage Nurseries at Bretforton.
French clematis grower to expand greenhouse and export market
"Customers are increasingly asking for outdoor climbing plants earlier," says Marie Laure Rauline of Javoy Plantes Pépinières. For this reason, this French climbing plants grower and propagator is expanding their greenhouse. However, in spite of this early demand, the demand in general is not increasing. Therefore, they started producing young plants for export, five years ago. Their main market was Eastern Europe, however, due to the unrest in that area they are exploring other European markets.
A.M.A. brings new substrate to Canada & U.S.A.
In July 2015, A.M.A. Plastics Ltd, in partnership with BVB Substrates of The Netherlands, announced that they are bringing a new version of “sticky peat” to the North American market. BVB Impress® is suitable for press block production and as a germination mix in plug trays. BVB Impress uses white peat with a mixture of other 100% organic materials with no chemical additives, making it airier and more water absorbing for better roots; more dimensionally stable so it holds its shape; and importantly, much lighter for lower handling and transport cost.
US Flamingo Holland & Gootjes AllPlant announce partnership
In July 2015, Vista, California based Flamingo Holland together with Gootjes-AllPlant B.V. announced they have joined forces to bring Stage III tissue culture to the North American market. The partnership came together in an effort to facilitate the need for technical service in North America while also streamlining ordering, shipping and freight.
US (NH): D.S. Cole adds 4,200 m2 sized open greenhouse
In July 2015, the Loudon (NH) situated D.S. Cole, who grows young and finished plants, started the construction of another greenhouse. "They are currently installing the foundation," said Doug Cole, owner of the company. This 4,200 m2 sized greenhouse will be used for the cultivation of young plants. When the greenhouse is finished, the total acreage under glass will be 18,700 m2.
Russia again threatens to boycott Dutch flowers
That month, July 2015, Russia again threatened to boycott Dutch ornamentals. The threat was mentioned just after the Dutch call to set up an international tribunal that would investigate the reason for the MH17 crash. Russia was against such a tribunal because a couple of ongoing investigations needed to be finished first. After the announcement of a probable boycott, Russia again became a hot topic. Also Robert Roodenburg, director of VGB gave his opinion. According to him a boycott of Dutch flowers will affect Russia more than the Netherlands. He said: "The Dutch combination between assortment and logistics is unique." Also people in the trade didn't think this boycott would actually be implemented. "You always have to take Russian threats seriously, but the economical damage of this possible boycott would be large," says a Dutch flower trader and consultant Marco Stolze.
US (CA): "Harvesting of Easter lilies will start earlier this year"
Easter of 2016 falls on one of the earliest dates possible for Easter. In July 2015, the Smith River area of California - the Easter Lily Capitol of the world- preparations were in full swing for this early Easter, as explained by Dick den Breejen of Ednie Flower Bulb. "In June, all the flowers were removed from the plants, to stimulate growth of the bulbs."
Sliding Colombian peso makes flower exports more competitive
Also in summer 2015, the peso decreased. In July, the currency fell and hit a fresh 11-year low of 2726.50 pesos per dollar. Colombian policymakers have so far been happy to let the peso slide because it is helping to make exports from the country's coffee, banana and flower industries more competitive.
Ecuador: "We need to undertake action in order to survive"
In July 2015 and still, many growers are suffering from the situation in Russia as well as in Europe, this is also the case for Byron Salazar of Ecoroses, a rose production company in Ecuador. "Due to the devaluation of the rouble, the prices for roses have decreased drastically. Fortunately, our volumes shipped to Russia have remained about the same, even though shorter roses are being shipped. Not only the Russian market has been a problem for flower growers in Ecuador, but also the European market has been shrinking both in quantities as well as prices," he says. With the pressure from the deteriorating Russian and European markets, Ecoroses needs to undertake action in order to survive.
Development of the export oriented cut flower rose industry in Africa
In July 2015, Senthil Kumaran of Asthor agricola told us more about the development of the export oriented cut flower rose industry in Africa. According to Kumaran, the African continent has a lot of potential for the horticulture sector.
"Grabbing consumers' attention is a challenge in North America"
"Even though we are sold out most of the time, our challenge is to stimulate consumers to buy flowers on a regular basis," says Ed Vermolen of Aldershot Greenhouses, the largest grower of potted roses in Canada. According to him, flowers are often seen as seasonal products and not as weekly items in North America. For this reason, many growers are trying to find a solution.