Over the last years, the Ecuadorian floricutlure industry has been facing different obstacles, but fortunately, the industry is improving, explains Daniela Contreras, Communication Coordinator of Ecuadorian export association Expoflores. "From October 2020 to April 2021, the FOB increased by 12.1 percent when comparing it with the period March to September 2020." And to enable the industry to grow even further on all aspects, Expoflores is pleased to announce their ninth edition of Symposium Siflor and the second edition of Expo Flor Ecuador.
Challenges
The industry is always dealing with challenges but particularly in the last two years, the Ecuadorian flower industry has been dealing two major challenges per year. "In 2019, there were large political-social strikes in the country which were affecting the many industries, including the flower growers." Then, the year after, in 2020, the industry had to deal with the economic consequences of the pandemic, she says.
So, what were these challenges in 2020? Contreras: "First of all, , flowers are 'luxury' goods, so during the first months of the pandemic, consumers were looking for food and medicine rather than buying flowers. Then, due to the lack of passenger aircrafts, which carry 70% of the world’s cargo, freighter aircraft were in high demand worldwide, with higher freight rates. On top of that, growers had to deal with transport restrictions in Ecuador, which meant that flowers could not be transported from the farms to the airport."
Innovation also had to take place in a accelerated speed. "Firstly, growers had to identify manual processes and digitalize them to achieve more efficiency. Particularly in this case, Expoflores developed APC – APP (a Growing Process APP) for better production forecast that in turn help us to offer the product (sales teams) and calculate the flights needed to export.
This APP seeks the process automatization of counting the phenological growth stages of roses and the delivery of efficient solutions. Now, we have more than 40 farms using the APP. Secondly, they had to adapt and incorporate technology that already existed, so the farm processes could be automated, more efficient and productive. "Also, we were challenged to do local research and development for local innovation. Finally, we had to look for more sustainable and eco-friendly production alternatives (for example less use of plastic and agrochemicals)."
Ecuadorian floriculture is recovering
Fortunately, the Ecuadorian floriculture is recovering, Daniela explains. "The industry's financial losses challenged the flower growers to look for new strategies to survive and adapt to the new reality." And the data confirms it. "From March to September 2020 the FOB was approximately USD 463 million and from October 2020 to April 2021 the FOB was USD 519 million, she explains.
"After a year of effort and hard work, the flower industry is getting stronger and is inspired to keep growing flowers that connect emotions in more than 100 countries around the world. The first semester of 2021 shows that flower growers have tackled the challenges to bring solutions and stand out."
Siflor 2021
In November, Expoflores will organize their ninth edition of the International Floriculture Symposium Siflor 2021 in Quito, Ecuador. "For this edition, due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Expoflores and Escuela de Floricultura have prepared a completely hybrid program composed of both online and face-to-face conferences. Siflor is designed for flower growers, technicians, sales teams, general managers and administrative staff."
Siflor will be held from November 22nd to 26th of 2021 in Quito-Ecuador. The program will also provide the opportunity to join farm tours that will present new crops, new technology, production practices and innovation. Click here to register for the event.
Expo Flor Ecuador 2022
Another large event of Expoflores is Expo Flor Ecuador 2022, which is planned to take place during the second semester of the year. On behalf of Expoflores, Alejandro Martínez said “We look forward to having you in our next Expo Flor Ecuador 2022 edition. We are getting ready so flower growers and flower buyers can meet again face-to-face for the best of our industry”.
For more information:
Expoflores
Daniela Contreras
comunicacion@expoflores.com
www.expoflores.com/