The HortiFlora Expo is on. After a 1 minute silence for the victims of the Ethiopian Airlines crash, the show was opened this morning by President Sahle-Work Zewde, wishing the horticulture industry all the best and inviting the foreign visitors to invest in the sector of flowers, vegetables and fruit in Ethiopia. The 7th edition of the fair hosts a record number of exhibitors (116), is held in the Millennium Hall in Addis Ababa and will last till March 15.
It seems to be a good start of the show and organizer Dick van Raamsdonk is very satisfied so far. "It is busy and many farm managers and owners are present, one of the target groups of the exhibition. Besides the many growers, many suppliers, who are looking for these growers, are exhibiting. The growers in turn, are looking for buyers and also these are present. I've seen several large buyers from the Netherlands, Middle East, Russia, Germany, Australia, the UK and also, surprisingly, several buyers from two Dutch supermarket chains."
With 116 exhibitors, the 7th edition of the HortiFlora is not only the biggest, but, according to Van Raamsdonk also the most beautiful edition so far. "It is something I hear in the aisles. The high quality flowers are shining in the booths and also a lot of suppliers paid extra attention to the decoration of their booths."
All in all, Van Raamsdonk is satisfied with the first day. "Many professional visitors (national and international) and actually better than expected. This is something we've heard many times. It is a good sign for the Ethiopian horticulture industry that have had to deal (and still do) with several challenges over the last years."
Below an impression of the first day.
(Pictures taken by Jasper van Dijk, HPP Exhibitions)
Alemayehu Abera, trial specialist at Syngenta Flowers Ethiopia was visiting the show and sent us these pictures.
On Monday March 18, we will publish a recap of the show.
For more informati
on
Hortiflora Expo
www.hortifloraexpo.com