Last week, at the Agriflor 2018, over 130 exhibitors presented their products and services in El Centro Exposiciones de Quito. It was the 17th edition of this trade show, but this year, it was a little different. The trade fair, organized by HPP Exhibitions, has become more of a stage for the smaller independent growers that are eager to explore direct trade. The organization was pleased with this edition, and for the next edition, they are determined to set up a platform for these smaller independent growers also.
FloralDaily was also present at the show to make a photo report. Click here for the photo report.
This year, Agriflor focused on the long existing but never before exhibiting growers. In this 2018 edition, over 70 of the 132 exhibitors were first-time exhibitors. These first timers were mainly smaller growers that have been in business for many years, but mainly exported through brokers.
But how did it turn out? “We are satisfied”, says Dick van Raamsdonk of HPP Exhibitions. “We knew that buyers would come to check out the exhibition – and particularly the growers that hadn’t exhibited at any other exhibition before – but we were not sure how long they would stay. Fortunately, many stayed for a long time and real business has been done." According to Dick, especially US buyers are eager to do business with smaller sized growers, as they can better negotiate with them. On top of that, these smaller sized growers put a broad assortment of flowers on display.
This edition and the interest in these ‘new’ growers makes Van Raamsdonk look forward to the next edition, where the focus will be fully on the independent smaller growers. “About 600 flower growers in Ecuador, of which 420 growers, representing 40 percent of the cultivation area, are not related to any association. We will direct ourselves towards these growers and therefore can offer buyers an even larger portfolio to choose from.”