The 10th and largest version of the IFTEX has come to an end . Last Thursday , the Oshwal Center in Nairobi , Kenya , where 165 + growers and supplier exhibit , close its doors . " It is a true grower - purchaser show , and this year it achieved to become the perfect show in this industry , " say Dick van Raamsdonk , General Director of HPP Exhibitions ( the organization ) , when looking back on this variant . " In three solar day , buyers could see the whole range of flower Kenya has to tender . " FloralDaily was present to make an extensive photo report and to learn more about the developments in the market .
Click here for the photo report .
Michael de Geus of Select Breeding , the squad of Primarosa , Eric Bouman of Murara Plants Kenya , and Raul Leal of SB Talee . Eager to discover what they and the other exhibitors had on display?Click here for the photo composition .
DiversificationSo what stood out ? First , the bombastic range of flowers on show . equate to other years , there are many more varieties of peak presented at the stands . Many rose growers have started to diversify their mixture with summertime flower . This trend started a few years ago to spread risk better , but now there is also an increasing requirement from Europe and the Middle East for these products . And by offering a larger assortment , growers are becoming more of a " one - stopover workshop " for their direct customers . The rose still remain the main product for many growers , but here too , agriculturalist continue to innovate and expand the assortment . " It is no longer the small cheap rosiness . Now also the ' high end ' roses are useable , " aver van Raamsdonk .
Solid competition to ColombiaNorth America is the heavy grocery for Colombia , and for Kenya , it is Europe , the Middle East , and Asia . During theopening ceremonial , a comparison with Colombia in terms of growth was already made by Richard Fernandez of Kenya Flower Council . Here he explained that Colombia has doubled in acreage over the retiring 50 year and that the same is expected for the floriculture industry in Kenya , now 30 years in the qualification . And accord to van Raamsdonk , Kenya is becoming a solid competitor for Colombian growers exporting to Europe and the Middle East . " Not only in terms of diversity but also in terms of quality , Kenya can go past Colombia in these areas . The journeying of the flower from Kenya to those areas is unretentive , and therefore , quality remains in high spirits , and shipping costs will be lower . This will make it a upstanding competitor to Colombia . "
Dick van Raamsdonk
ChallengesIn gain to the possible and expected growth of Kenya ’s floriculture industry , there are some challenge that agriculturalist have ( and remain to ) deal with . High costs are one of the prominent challenges , and botrytis was a problem many agriculturist confront last month . Fortunately , need was near from Europe for the retiring 6 month , but it is now down due to good atmospheric condition and consumer holiday plan in Europe . However , sales to the Middle East seem to ease it somewhat . Read more about the challengesin this article .
TrendsAnother trend that was visible at the show was the integration of farms and that more farms are making bouquet at the reservoir . And regarding innovation , several ship’s company see opportunity to make the Kenyan floriculture industriousness a more data - driven industriousness . " Kenyan growers last on WhatsApp and Excel , " an exhibitioner chuckles , " but once they see the benefit of using their datum and AI , for example , modification is expect . And not only for the growers , for the entire manufacture . "
convinced atmosphereThe atmosphere was very positive on the show trading floor . " There were many buyer from many different countries , and this year , we saw quite a few more from the Middle East , " tell van Raamsdonk . " All in all , we are very satisfied with the timbre of the visitant and what the companies render at the fair . "
Next levelAccording to van Raamsdonk , this tenth edition - celebrated with a goodpartyon the even of the 2d exhibition daylight - has reached the next level . " Last year was the first variation after Corona , and this class we have had the best fair ever in Kenya . " And for the floriculture sector , the IFTEX is now really well established . " IFTEX is considered the political program for the Kenyan Floriculture industriousness , and of course , we as an organisation are very majestic of that . However , this does not stand for that we are now sit around back . There is always room for improvement ! We may have reached the ' next level , ' but this also stand for that there are still more levels to reach . For illustration , we are , of course , always looking for more buyers . " Next year ’s IFTEX will again take place Tuesday through Thursday , June 4 - 6 .
preparation IFTF in full swingThe IFTEX is come in to an end , but the HPP Exhibitions team is already busy preparing for theIFTFin Vijfhuizen . " The primary end is to have as many foreign growers exhibiting as possible . This attracts buyers , and then it is a real international floriculture exhibition . " The IFTF will take place from Wednesday , November 8 , through Friday , November 10 .
tick here for the photo report of the IFTEX .
For more info : IFTEXwww.iftex.org
© FloralDaily.com/Elita Vellekoop
