Yesterday was a pleasantly busy day at the fair in Vijfhuizen — busier even than Tuesday, when many visitors first made a round through the FHTF. For the exhibitors in Vijfhuizen, there were plenty of familiar faces as well as new interested visitors, enough to head home satisfied — but of course, we still have one more day to go!
Worldwide
With a global trade such as the flower industry, it's hardly surprising that there's always something happening. The heavy rains in Ethiopia have significantly affected production, but things are slowly getting back on track. In Kenya, suppliers report that confidence in the market is strong enough to spur new investments in nurseries, aiming for higher yields and better quality.
This development will also shape the future of transport to and from the African flower-producing countries. Although sea freight became an option for Kenyan exporters a few years ago, it has since come almost to a standstill — air freight remains the main mode of transport for most flowers. Whether that will change is a matter of debate: some consider post-harvest treatments to make flowers suitable for longer transport undesirable, while others see opportunities to design cultivation and processing in such a way that sea freight becomes viable. In short: grow and process with precision and purpose, and you can indeed ship certain flowers by sea.
Sustainability
Making floriculture more sustainable is also a major focus in countries like the Netherlands. That means more attention to sustainable cultivation (whether by choice or out of necessity due to a limited range of crop protection options...) and reusable packaging materials.
And what else did we see?
Flowers, of course — lots and lots of flowers. In Europe, the "sad beige" interior trend has, according to experts, influenced preferences toward soft, muted color palettes, while cheerful, vibrant varieties remain highly appreciated in other regions. We also saw dyed and colored creations, as well as several new exhibitors eager to enter the European market.
There were also varieties not only to look at, but to smell: fragrance is becoming an increasingly important trait in new varieties, as consumers are asking for it more and more. For scentless varieties, a creative solution was presented — one that also reflects the flower's country of origin. A beautiful way to bring the consumer closer to the story behind the bloom.
More tomorrow — more photos and more information — but here's a little preview. And of course, during these final hours of the fair, you're still very welcome at our booth, where the boterbabbelaars (traditional Dutch candies) are popular, the latest Greenhouse Guides are available, and the BEP Handbook is being picked up by anyone with an interest in Dutch trade. We look forward to seeing you!
© Arlette Sijmonsma | FloralDaily.comTeam MPS at the fair
© Arlette Sijmonsma | FloralDaily.com Alexander Brjuhins with Rosen Tantau has a soft spot for the new yellow variety,
© Eelkje Pulley | FloralDaily.com
Team Octoflor with their beautiful octopus.
© Arlette Sijmonsma | FloralDaily.com
With stricter regulations around reusable packaging and a growing demand for sustainably grown and packaged products, the Van Vliet Newwen team is proud to show how they contribute—with reusable packaging materials. The reusable covers are also foldable and stackable.
