Expansions, exhibitions, awards, Brexit and more...

2019 started off well for many. Benary opened a new production site in Chile, live plants in Colombia maintain VAT exemption, GASA Group moved to their new HQ, Anthura wins the Horticultural Entrepreneur Prize, Gediflora the AIPH award and Danziger and Terra Nova Nurseries announced a creative collaboration agreement. As usual, January is also filled with exhibitions and this year is no exception. IPM Essen, FloraHolland Winter Fair, Christmasworld, Mants, they all took place that month.

When looking what was on display at the IPM Essen, 2019 seems to be a year with sustainability as one of its main pillars.

Below the overview of January 2019:

Benary opens new production site in Chile

Benary has been producing flower seeds in Chile for decades, and at the beginning of November 2018, they opened their new production site in Hijuelas, Chile. The new site was opened in the presence of the main shareholder Klaudia Benary-Redlefsen. "Hijuelas offers the perfect climate for the production of some of our most important…

Azerbaijan: First roses planted in new greenhouse

Who was thinking the Fruit Logistica in Berlin was only a trade show for fruits and vegetables, Bosman van Zaal is proving wrong. At that trade show, Bosman Van Zaal met AZ Rose, amongst others, a rose oil producer from Azerbaijan. Now, less than a couple of years later the first roses have been planted in the…

Live plants in Colombia maintain VAT exemption

The Tax Reform approved last December in Colombia, will maintain the VAT exemption for plant sales in the country, said Jairo Cadavid, president of the Association of Colombian Nursery and Ornamental Growers, Colviveros. The decision is taken in the midst of the fiscal adjustments the South American country must undertake from 2019 onward and responds…

“Rose prices under pressure from online trade platforms”

After reviewing the year of cut roses together with some growers from all over the world, it turned out that, overall, 2018 has been a challenging year. Next to weather, freight and political circumstances, prices - and particularly at the auction clock - were low. What could be the reason? According to Sachin…

Denmark: New headquarters for GASA Group

2019 literally means a fresh start for the GASA Group. This international trading company started off the year in a brand new HQ in Odense, Denmark. "We are investing in the future as our goal is to be one of the leading European suppliers of floral solutions", says Daniél Vesterlund, Group CCO. Building stronger relationships The new building has…

Netherlands: Anthura wins Horticultural Entrepreneur Prize 2019

Anthura won the Horticultural Entrepreneur Prize 2019. With this prize, the orchid and anthurium breeder is entitled to call themselves Ambassador of the Dutch horticultural sector for a year. For this 33rd edition, the other nominated companies were Dekker Chrysanten, Opti-flor and Wim Peters Kwekerijen. Our Dutch colleagues of BPNieuws.nl…

US (MD): 49th edition of MANTS comes to an end

Today is the last day of the Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade show (MANTS). This three-day exhibition started on January 9 and is held in Baltimore (MD). 49 years ago, it started with 64 exhibitors and now hosts over 960. It draws exhibiting companies and attendees from all over the US, Canada, as well as Europe, Australia,…

Netherlands: Photos Royal FloraHolland Winter Fair

Last week, the Royal FloraHolland Winter Fair took place in Aalsmeer, the Netherlands. This trade fair at the start of the new year provides an overview of what's to be expected in the coming season. Around 60 growers were present to present their products. Clockwise: Luc vd Sar of Van der Voort presents their Azaleas; Jan Ekelmans…

Horticulture industry responds to rejection of Brexit deal

The proposed Brexit deal of Prime Minister Theresa May was voted off the table by the British Parliament. One thing has become clear: uncertainty prevails. "It's complete chaos", director of VGB (Association of Wholesalers in Horticultural Products in the Netherlands), Matthijs Mesken, says. "It would probably be better if the UK…

Gediflora named International Grower of the Year

Gediflora has been awarded the accolade of International Grower of the Year (IGOTY) 2019 by the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH). Yesterday, this prestigious award was presented at the IPM Essen, in the presence of nine nominated companies, sponsors, as well as representatives of the biggest…

Danziger and Terra Nova Nurseries announce creative collaboration agreement

Terra Nova Nurseries and Danziger jointly announced this week the two companies are entering into a new alliance, whereby Danziger will become a dedicated licensee and producer of vegetative cuttings from Terra Nova Nurseries’ stock in Europe, Asia and Africa. Danziger will produce the Unrooted Cuttings (URCs) to…

Photo Report: IPM Essen 2019

Several records have been broken in Essen, Germany. Both the number of foreign (non-German) visitors and the palette of exhibitors (originating from 46 different countries) has never been as broad and diverse as this year. However, the number of visitors remained behind a bit: with 1,000 less visitors. In terms of…

Christmasworld inspires visitors with flowers and plants

More and more fresh flowers and plants are getting sold through retail. In order to give this trend a boost, for the third year in a row the decoration fair Christmasworld was expanded with a floricultural section called Floradecora. This exhibition aims to be a link between hardware and flowers, which this year was…

Biodegradable solutions: From a hot topic to real orders

Biodegradable solutions have been a hot topic for several years, but now the transition is taking place and real orders are being made, explains Przemysław Procek of Oboya Horticulture Poland. This horticultural supplies manufacturer introduced their first biodegradable sleeve three years ago and extended their line…