A delegation from the florists clocks Naaldwijk and Eelde is currently conducting a study trip in Kenya, along with a handful of customers. A good number of rose and summer flower producers will be visited. The intention is to make new contacts, to strengthen ties with existing suppliers and to acquaint the buyers with the origin of the flowers.
Yesterday the group visited Carzan (photos: twitter, Ed Fleuribelli)
The group counts 18 participants. Both florists clocks have sent a delegate: Tom Stellingwerf from Eelde and Arie Bezemer from Naaldwijk. The other companions are all florists. Ronald Hartman, responsible for the affairs of the florists clock in Eelde: "First of all we hope to engage the suppliers of the florists clock. Through the florist they get a better picture of the customer for whom they produce and they learn how and where their products end up. On the other hand as a florists clock we are always looking to broaden the range and a florist can get a better picture of the origin of the product. This way he’s more in touch with the developments in terms of cultivation techniques, with the market and the challenges growers face. "
At Oserian (twitter, Arie Bezemer)
Of course a trip like this cannot be organized every week. Time, money and of course the fact that the florist cannot be in two places at once make it a valuable investment. Nevertheless contact with each other is found to be important. Besides the aforementioned reasons it is also a voyage of discovery for the florist and he has more to offer his customers upon return home. After all, the story behind the flower is perhaps just as special as the flower itself!
At Panocal (twitter, Arie Bezemer)
Program
The program will include visits to faithful rose growers Panocal and Mzurie Flowers, summer flower suppliers Wilmar and Carzan Flowers and the large production company Oserian, producer of roses, carnations and summer flowers.
The group is invited to see the latest developments in rose breeding on African soil at rose breeder Olij in Naivasha. At Beauty Line, the company of Israeli breeder Danziger, a look will be taken at breeding Gypsophila and Limonium.
The group will journey from the capital Nairobi to the western border with Uganda along Lake Victoria to the Maasai Mara Natural Reserve. The visit ends on January 17 at the airport in Nairobi at the Cargo Department of Kuehne + Nagel. There the flowers of many growers are prepared for transport to the auctions in the Netherlands.