Acquisitions, expansions, anniversaries, closures, exhibitions and more...

April 2018 has been a busy month with a lot of company news from the Netherlands, with Bercomex taking over Potveer activities, Florensis expanding lisianthus greenhouse, and Holland Bulb Market celebrating its 150th anniversary, just to name a few. But also internationally, companies shared news, like Oserian who diversified commercial activities, Finlays who closed two flower farms in Kericho and Ellepot and FloriPartner who entered a Scandinavian partnership.

For rose growers, it wasn't such a good month as the market was over flooded with roses.

And not to forget, exhibitions all over the world! The 41st edition of Kom in de Kas (Get in the Greenhouse) in the Netherlands, AstanaFloraExp in Kazakhstan, California Spring Trials 2018 in the US, Flower Expo Ukraine, and Iran Green Trade Fair.

And more happened, see the overview of March 2018.

Colombian plant growers to get nursery research center

Within the framework of its Second General Assembly held in Bogotá on March 21st, COLVIVEROS, the Association of Colombian Nurseries and Ornamental Growers, announced the creation of the Research Center for the Advancement of the Ornamental Nursery Industry (CENIVIVEROS). According to Jairo Cadavid, President.....

NL: Florensis Cut Flowers expands Lisianthus greenhouse

Florensis Cut Flowers will further expand its production facilities for young Lisianthus plants. Adriaan Vonk, Director of Florensis Cut Flowers, recently signed the tender for the construction of the new greenhouse with a surface area of 13,000 m2. The greenhouse will be built by Bosman Van Zaal in.....

Kenya: Oserian Flowers diversifies commercial activities

Oserian Development Company, one of the largest flower growers and exporters in Kenya has embarked upon a plan to diversify its commercial activities. Consequently, the farm has been subdivided and Change of Use amended to Industrial, Commercial and Residential uses in support of the diversification.....

China: Hibiscus growers burned by coal ban

The beginning of the year, China has banned the use of coal in several industries. As a result, many hibiscus growers, as well as growers of several other crops, are not allowed to use coal anymore to heat the greenhouse. And as long as there is 'no' solution - there are solutions, but the alternatives are.....

Ellepot and FloriPartner launch Scandinavian partnership

A new alliance between two Danish suppliers to the horticulture industry, Ellepot A/S and FloriPartner A/S brings new and existing propagation products and tailor-made solutions to nursery growers in Scandinavia. Ellepot has formed a strong partnership with FloriPartner, which is headed up by Torben Fisker.....

41st edition of 'Get in the Greenhouse' event

Over 200,000 visitors for Dutch greenhouses

The shining sun and pleasant spring temperatures were the ingredients for a successful 41st edition of Kom in de Kas (Get in the Greenhouse). On April 7 and 8 over 150 vegetable, flower and plant growers in the Netherlands opened their doors to the general public. Over 205,500 people came to take a.....

DFG sees turnover of 1.5 billion euros in 2017

Dutch Flower Group achieved a turnover of 1.5 billion euros last year, according to Dutch newspaper Financieel Dagblad. Although sales to the UK were down, overall sales increased by 7% due to 'some minor acquisitions and increased sales in Germany and Asia, among others'. The net profit for 2017 came to 33.....

Roses are even being thrown away

Europe: Market overflooded with red roses

April is a challenging month for rose growers. Many are having a high return flush as result from cutting back their crop for Valentine's Day. As a result, the market is flooded with roses, and particularly red. This, combined with a low demand results in a drop in prices. This week, they probably have.....

Bercomex takes over Potveer activities

Following a recent bankruptcy, some of the activities of machine manufacturer Potveer will be continued by Bercomex. This means that the Potveer brand, service and a number of their products will be integrated into the family-owned Bercomex company. 'Bercomex plans to ensure ongoing good service to the.....

April 11-13 in Astana, Kazakhstan:

AstanaFloraExpo 2018 is on

The Korme Exhibition center opened its doors for the ninth edition of the AstanaFloraExpo this morning. From April 11-13 professionals from the flower industry and floristry, landscape architecture and design gather at this center in the capital of Kazakhstan; Astana. The AstanaFlorExpo is said to be.....

Photo Report California Spring Trials 2018

California was the center of the US floriculture sector last week, during the California Spring Trials. Growers, distributors, retailers and more found their way to 17 locations. There were tons of varieties on display and the participating companies did their utmost best to show the potential of their.....

Photo report Flower Expo Ukraine

Last week the Flower Expo Ukraine took place in the International Exhibition Centre in Kiev. For the 12th (almost) consecutive year the organization of the fair got the main actors within the Ukrainian floral industry together. Next to Ukrainian companies, no less than 34 Dutch trade and breeding companies.....

NL: Holland Bulb Market celebrates 150th anniversary

With a Royal Visit, nice music and summer-like temperatures, Holland Bulb Market celebrated its 150th anniversary last Friday, April 20. Dutch Princess Margriet received flowers from the daughter of Joris van der Velden, the director of Holland Bulb Market. Director Joris van der Velden gives a summary of the.....

Photos: Iran Green Trade Fair

Iranian horticulture picking up the high-tech pace

The third edition of the International Iran Green Trade Fair IGTF, held last week in the Tehran Exhibition Center in Iran, grew in 1 year with 200% to a total of 6,000 m2 of exhibit space. A total of 119 companies and about 7,500 visitors participated in what is considered to have become Iran’s leading,.....

Royal FloraHolland annual report

NL: New sales records and higher prices over 2017

Royal FloraHolland realised a €4.7 billion turnover last year, a 1.2% increase compared to 2016. Average prices went up 3.9% as compared to the year before, the units (flower stems and potted plants) traded by regular auction sales decreased by 1.8% to €11.7 billion. Products were supplied by 5,700 growers.....

1700 jobs to disappear

Kenya: Finlays closes two flower farms in Kericho

James Finlays Kenya Ltd announced it will close its two flower farms in Kericho, Kenya. On these farms around 1700 people are employed.The farms mentioned, Chermireu and Tarakat, total about 70 hectares. Closure will be phased out over a period of roughly 2.5 years, in order to minimize the impact for.....