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The International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) members consist of thousands of growers of flowers and ornamental plants around the world who are together united by one essential goal – promoting the place of plants in people’s lives.
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AIPH is responsible for approving the world’s most exceptional horticultural expos creating long lasting green legacies in cities across the globe.
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AIPH Blooming Economies & Cities to Inspire the World
AIPH Blooming Economies & Cities to Inspire The World 2.0. Up-to-date statistics from recent Expos hosted in Asia and Europe.
Learn moreAIPH hosts several conferences, webinars and events such as the International Grower of the Year award throughout the year. Read about these along with the latest news about the association’s activities.
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AIPH International Grower of the Year
The AIPH International Grower of the Year Awards celebrate the best of the best in ornamental horticulture
Learn moreAIPH’s key aim is to stimulate demand for ornamental trees, plants and flowers worldwide. We are committed to supporting growers in achieving this by protecting and promoting the interests of the industry.
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The AIPH’s Global Industry Intelligence Centre (GIIC) is an international hub for industry information and knowledge exchange.
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Understanding The Chinese Market
The report contains research into; Working middle class in China. Domestic production in China & Retail research summary of the floral retails survey.
DownloadAIPH Green City activities promote the essential role of plants in creating vibrant urban areas in which people and businesses can thrive.
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On 15th September 2020, AIPH brought together an impressive line-up of expert international industry speakers to share experiences of the impact of COVID-19 on the horticultural industry and the prospective outlook for the future.
The 200 plus delegates at ‘Recovery from Crisis – the future for ornamentals’, held in a virtual format for the first time, heard about the key challenges faced by the industry over the last six months, the lessons learned, and plans for the future.
08:00 Welcome speech – Mr Bernard Oosterom, AIPH President
08:15 Keynote presentation on Handling crisis and coming out the other side – Dr Charlie Hall, Ellison Chair in International Floriculture, Texas A&M University, USA
08:35 Business and investment implications for the sector – Ms Carin van Huët-Laan, Director of Food & Agribusiness, Rabobank, the Netherlands.
08:55 Market consolidation and COVID-19 – Mr Frank de Hek, Partner at Oaklins, the Netherlands.
09:15 Understanding the impact on the consumer – Mr Josh McBain, Consultancy Director, Foresight Factory, UK.
09:35 Panel Q&A
09:50 BREAK
10:10 The Future for Selling Flowers in Store – Ms Emma Coupe, Trading Manager (Horticulture & Frozen), Marks & Spencer, UK
10:35 The impact of COVID-19 on florist shops – Mr Simon Ogrizek, President of Florint, the International Florist Organisation
10:55 How the future will be different – Mr Steven van Schilfgaarde, CEO Royal FloraHolland, the Netherlands.
11:15 How COVID-19 has changed the market dynamics for flowers and what the future holds – Mr Craig Musson, Managing Director, WAFEX, Australia.
11:35 Future for online sales – Mr Vadim Bogdanov, CEO of Potted.
11:55 Impact of Covid-19 on the Chinese flower industry – Ms Gao Rongmei, General Manager, Kunming International Flower Auction Trading Centre (KIFA), China
12:10 Creating a more resilient supply chain for flowers – A panel session chaired by Ms Eva Dahlqvist, Commercial Director of Van Dijk Flora, the Netherlands, that will explore the impacts of the crisis on key flower producers and how to create a more resilient supply chain. Panel members include:
13:00 The future for flower retailing and its impact on the supply chain – Mr John Simko, President, Sunshine Bouquet Company/Esmeralda Group, USA.
13:20 BREAK
14:25 Implications for nursery stock producers – Mr Jan-Dieter Bruns, Managing Director of Bruns-Pflanzen Germany.
14:45 Creating a resilient supply chain – Mr Michiel de Haan, CEO, Royal Lemkes, the Netherlands.
15:05 Creating a strong industry for the future – Panel session chaired by Mr Peter Vaughan, CEO, Greenlife Industry Australia. It will include supply chain representatives from different world regions including:
15:45 Stimulating market demand – Panel session on ways to get people to buy plants and flowers in a post-lockdown world. Panel members will share their experiences of stimulating market demand through promotions and campaigns. Panel members include:
16:40 Conference close
Recordings of the conference can be found on YouTube via the following links:
→ The Future for Ornamental Plants and Trees
He received the Paul Ecke, Jr. award from the Society of American Florists for professional contributions to the floral industry and the Porter Henegar Memorial Award from the Southern Nursery Association for significant contributions to ornamental horticulture research and the Southern Nursery Association.
She has been Head of Sector Management Business Clients and Director of Food & Agri The Netherlands since 2018. Carin has extensive management experience from her previous positions at Rabobank, ING/NN and accounting firms.
In her position as Head of Sector Management Business Clients, she focuses on the strategy, financing and risk management of individual companies in all sectors. Together with her Food & Agri, Trade, Industry, Services, Healthcare, and Real Estate Finance teams she envisages the major transition issues in these sectors and urges to debate these with clients and branch organisations in the Netherlands to create societal impact. Carin has a master degree in Agricultural Economics from Wageningen University.
As a result and because of her background, she has in-depth knowledge of the F&A sector. Next to that, she has during her career obtained knowledge and gained experience in other sectors as well.
The horticulture market has seen strong consolidation over the past decade, but COVID-19 brutally stopped several mergers and acquisitions processes. During the conference, Frank will talked about what can the impact of COVID-19 be on future market consolidation.
He completed his secondary education at the school of horticulture and visual arts in Celje, Slovenia. He then studied for a degree in agronomy and another degree in horticulture all at the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia. Now, he plays an active role in mentoring the next generation as a governing board member of Cedefop – European centre for the development of vocational training.
On top of his leadership roles, he is a business owner of a floral and landscape design consulting company” in Slovenia.
Craig’s speciality is in strategic planning, business excellence and international trade. He held a position as a non-Executive Director of Horticulture Australia Limited for several years. Craig is engaged in local communities through his role as a keen sportsman and Level 2 Cricket coach and is happily married with a 26-year-old son and 24-year-old daughter who both work in the business.
Since 2015, she also participated in the layout planning, construction management and improvement of the flower industry chain of Yunnan Jinyuan Flower Co., Ltd., the largest shareholder of the flower auction company.
An Industrial Engineer from Los Andes University in Bogotá, Mr Solano also holds an MBA degree from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. Before joining Asocolflores in 2000, he held various managerial positions in agribusiness, banking and publishing. His previous positions include CEO of Riopaila, a major Colombian sugar mill; Assistant Vice-President at Banco de Bogotá Trust Company, New York; and General Manager of a publishing company, Canal Ediciones (Mondadori). Mr Solano has also worked in the public sector as an economic and financial advisor to Colombia’s Minister of Economic Development.
Mr Solano currently serves as Chairman of the Board of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), Colombia Chapter; represents America at the Board of Directors of Union Fleurs and the flower growers from the southern hemisphere at the Board of Directors of Floriculture Sustainability Initiative, (FSI). He also belongs to the Boards of a prestigious business school and the largest pension fund in Colombia as well as to the private sector Industry Council.
Ota Floriculture Auction Co., Ltd., is a private flower auction-operating company which is the biggest among 120 flower auction-operators registered in Japan. They are located in the centre of Tokyo and work as a flower distribution hub licensed by Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
Currently, Richard is CEO of the Marginpar Group which in addition to the operations in Kenya and Ethiopia includes Marginpar bv in the Netherlands with licenced growers in both Tanzania and Zimbabwe.
Richard is a member of the Royal Flora Holland Members Council and current Chairman of the Kenya Flower Council. In addition, Richard is a board member of The Flower Hub & The Flower Source.
Richard has also in the past served as Joint Managing Director of Homegrown Kenya Limited and Chairman of both Kenya Highland Seed Company and Kenya Educational Trust.
He studied horticulture at the Hochschule Osnabrück – University of Applied Sciences – after a two-year apprenticeship in a nursery in Schleswig-Holstein. His professional career was very much influenced by a three-year working and studying experience in different countries –USA, France, England, Denmark, Norway and The Netherland.
Since 1990 Jan-Dieter Bruns is the managing director of Bruns-Pflanzen in Germany, one of the largest leading nurseries in Europe. It has 350 employees and is known for a wide and high-quality production of specimen plants for the European market.
Lemkes has been appointed Best Trade Employer of The Netherlands in 2020.
Wróblewski, 41, graduated with a Masters degree in Economics from Polonia University in 2004. His post-graduate education includes studies in Management and Audit at Jagiellonian University, and he has also undertaken comprehensive Quality Management training with the prestigious organisation, Lloyds Quality Training Services. Also, he is an excellent English speaker having taken numerous business English courses which have enabled him to act as a translator for multiple study tours to the UK.
Since 2003, Wróblewski has been managing the family nursery in Borowno. With four hectares of production, the nursery specialises in container production of shrubs and perennials for both the retail and landscape market in Poland and throughout Europe. Particular specialisms include Hydrangea, grasses and sempervivum. Benefitting from his extensive contacts within the European nursery industry Wróblewski prides himself on frequently introducing new and exciting garden plants into his range.
Metrolina Greenhouses is one of the most automated greenhouses in the United States and has many internally designed machines from automatic plant transplanters to mechanical shipping belts. The business employ 725 people year-round, and 600 additional people in the spring and fall peaks. It ships to Big Box Retailers, Mass Merchandisers, Home Improvement Chains and other greenhouses along the East Coast. Our product typically stays within a 500-mile radius of the greenhouse. During the peak season (March-June) it ships more than 180 trailer loads of product a day!
Anthura reached a unique milestone for horticulture when its research and development department sequenced and mapped the DNA of orchids and Anthuriums. The company has since invested in infrastructure, technology and people to translate this breakthrough into a more sustainable production of anthuriums and orchids. Years of innovation and sustainable product development have resulted in an unlimited assortment of colourful varieties. Due to Anthura’s knowledge of genetics and its expert selection process, it offers customers strong plants in amazing colours with long flowering periods. Anthura stands for innovation, expertise, pragmatism and entrepreneurship which are encompassed in its motto: “Unlimited in Varieties, offering unlimited possibilities”.
It is currently the largest flower market in Chinese Taipei, accounting for more than 40% of the total ornamental plant transactions here. As the first flower market in Asia to introduce cut flower digital auction system, Taipei Flower Market has taken on the responsibility to organise and provide farmers, florists, and consumers with a trustworthy open trading platform.
Some achievements under Ms Lu’s leadership since 2015:
A firm believer in quality, Ms Lu is also responsible for introducing the ISO quality certification to the Taipei Flower Market, which became the first ISO-certified auction market in Asia. She works closely with both farmers and the Agricultural Department during the current Covid-19 crisis to help the local flower industry to transform itself.
Her motto: “Unlimited wonders of life begin with flowers.”
From 1988 to 1991 he worked as a Commercial Manager at the company Moolenaar & Zonen, which specialises in exporting bulbs in Europe.
From 1991 to 2002 he worked at Veiling Aalsmeer (VBA) from 1991 to 2000 as Klok Manager and from 2000 to 2002 as Commercial Manager.
From 2002 he worked as General Manager of Veiling Vleuten where he coordinated the merger with Veiling Bemmel. After the merger, he took over the General Management at the new company VeilingPlantion until 2012. He is currently General Director at Cooperativa Veiling Holambra.
Inspiration, information and activation
Not only do we encourage consumers to buy more flowers and plants, but above all, to do it more regularly. Because flowers and plants not only make great gifts but are also great to enjoy for yourself.
Recognition is provided in the State Rural Code – Article L632-1.
VAL’HOR is made up of professional organisations representative of the horticultural production, distribution and trade sectors, as well as the landscape and the garden.
These professional organizations sign a professional agreement making it possible to finance collective actions.
PERA Event is an international service agency for special events, M.I.C.E. entertainment and event counselling. Based in Istanbul, Turkey, the group offers solutions, support and services to participants in the development and implementation of International Horticultural Exhibitions.
Hatay located in Turkey, is one of humanity’s oldest first settlements, from past to present different cultures and the co-existence of different religions, many civilisations have lived in peace, brotherhood and tolerance in the city of Turkey, the Middle East, the Middle East to Anatolia, the Mediterranean and it’s strategic position is important to Europe. Hatay determines the economic lifestyle of the geographic region where people live. In this direction, Hatay, which is the old settlement, is the most important gate of the silk road opening to the Mediterranean Sea.
The fact that Hatay has a deep-rooted history and that many civilisations have lived here is important in terms of the exhibition which will be showing the richness of its history and the footsteps of its people. Expo 2021 Hatay will be a great opportunity to share its history and to showcase its horticulture.
Royal FloraHolland is a cooperative of growers and strives to ensure the sustainable success of our members. We connect growers and buyers and cooperate with all parties in the floriculture industry to ensure the continued growth of the sector.
We are now the largest floriculture marketplace in the world and one of the Netherlands’ main export sectors. FloraHolland provides full service from deal-making to logistics and financial settlement. At the moment, we are developing the marketplace into a digital platform, where we supply a wide and deep range of flowers and plants worldwide. These can be sold directly or through auctions. For the same day or later. From the nursery to the buyer’s back door. More often, faster and fresher to the place the customers want worldwide.
Together you can achieve more than alone. As Royal FloraHolland, we, therefore, involve our members intensively in our strategy and work closely with growers, buyers and partners.
Royal FloraHolland’s mission of ‘Flowering the World Together’, encourages the horticultural sector to flourish, now and in the future. Together with the entire industry, we are facing up to challenges and seizing opportunities. We all want to make the world healthier and more beautiful with flowers and plants.
Visser Horti Systems has been designing and manufacturing horticultural machines and complete production lines for both large and small nurseries since 1967.
Visser supplies a range of automation solutions for any starting material like a seed, tissue culture and cuttings. By maintaining a continuous dialogue with growers, Visser can deliver both standard and customer-specific machines. As an innovative and globally operating company, Visser is a leading force in the horticultural sector.
W: www.viscongroup.eu/plant-technology
LVG Plants (Pty) Ltd, based in Oaktree, Krugersdorp was established in 1995 by Mr Lourens van Geest. The company soon gained a reputation for being one of the finest growers of indoor plants in the local market.
In 2009 Mr Lourens van Geest retired and handed the business over to his sons Ivo, Geert and Bart who have built the business up to what it is today, encompassing 50 hectares, with greenhouses of 110 000 m². Greenhouses are fully automated and climate-controlled.
The van Geest family is very environmentally conscious, and as a result, the farm is fully sustainable and to a large degree environmentally friendly.
The main lines propagated on the farm are Phalaenopsis (Orchid), Begonias, Roses, Cyclamen, Zantedeschia, Anthurium, Spathiphyllum, Curcuma, Poinsettia and Ficus Ginseng, although green plants such as Asplenium, Sanseveria and Zamioculcas are also supplied. Cuttings/plugs / in vitro material is imported mainly from Holland and Denmark whilst growing medium (soil) is imported from Holland. Imports are primarily due to the fact that these products cannot be sourced locally. Pots which cannot be sourced locally are also imported from Holland. Imports are via sea and air freight.
Approximately 175 people are employed on the farm, the bulk of which are ladies, whilst office staff consist of around 19 people, this includes the directors, financial manager, accountant, operational & project manager.
LVG Plants Pty Ltd is a founder member of Plantimex Pty Ltd, a distribution company which is South Africa’s largest supplier of indoor plants. LVG Pty Ltd supplies around 70% of its products to Plantimex for onward sale into the local market. As from 1 March 2015, LVG is the sole shareholder in Plantimex.
As the directors are environmentally conscious, they decided to embark on a Solar Thermal project in order to produce hot water via solar technology for the heating of the greenhouses. By utilising solar energy instead of fossil fuels, the directors believe that they can contribute towards the reduction of site-generated, carbon-based greenhouse gasses that are emitted into the atmosphere.
The project was completed in 2015 and is fully operational.
CIOPORA is the International Association of Breeders of Asexually Reproduced Horticultural Varieties. Breeders of such varieties account for two-thirds of all Plant Variety Right (PVR) titles in the world. For more than 50 years, CIOPORA has been representing these breeders in all matters of Intellectual Property (IP) Protection, aiming to foster an environment in which the innovation of these breeders can flourish. The main priority of CIOPORA is the constant development and enhancement of systems of Intellectual Property Protection for plant innovation. CIOPORA enjoys the observer status at the Administrative Council of CPVO and the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV). CIOPORA unites breeders of all asexually reproduced horticultural plants with a broad portfolio of species and varieties on the market. CIOPORA is a member-based, non-profit organisation with currently 125 members from over 20 countries on five continents.
European Photonics Industry Consortium (EPIC), a membership-led not-for-profit industry association that promotes the sustainable development of organiSations working in the field of photonics. Its members encompass the entire value chain from LED lighting, PV solar energy, Silicon photonics, Optical components, Lasers, Sensors, Displays, Projectors, Optic fibre, and other photonic related technologies. EPIC fosters a vibrant photonics ecosystem by maintaining a strong network and acting as a catalyst and facilitator for technological and commercial advancement. EPIC works closely with related industries, universities, and public authorities to build a more competitive photonics industrial sector, capable of both economic and technological growth in a highly competitive worldwide marketplace.
‘Florint’ is the International Florist Organisation: the world’s only interest group representing professional florist associations and their florists!
We fight for our florist associations, the members of Florint, on political and economic issues. We defend their interests anywhere we can. And we help them to solve the main challenges that florists face. Challenges that relate to:
✔ Fostering professional craftsmanship
✔ Safeguarding excellent education
✔ Stimulating smart entrepreneurship
✔ Developing effective marketing strategies
✔ And doing business in a sustainable way…
How do we address these difficult issues? Florint has developed a toolbox of useful instruments and programs that support our members. Tools that help them add value for their members, the florists of the world.
In other words: Florint helps make business better for floral entrepreneurs. And we do so very successfully!
For more than 45 years, industry professionals have joined together to test and evaluate new pot and bedding plants, promote award winners, protect member varieties, network with each other and contribute to the development and advancement of the industry as a whole.
The current membership comprises of approximately 75 pot and bedding plant breeders, producers and distributors, mostly European, but also from Japan, Russia, the U.S., China and Thailand. The organisation is structured into Business Units, each providing for specific needs within the industry. The four current Business Units are Breeders, Production & Distribution, Home Gardening and Protection.
A Board of elected members is supported by various specialised committees. A small secretariat operates from the organisational headquarters in Noordwijk, The Netherlands. The organisation is financed by contributions for membership, by fees for trials and Novelty Protection and by royalties on the turnover of awarded varieties. Activities such as policing of illegally reproduced cuttings, market survey of seedling and cutting sales and networkingconferences are self-funding.
Our core business:
FloraCulture International magazine, (FCI), is a publication specific to the international floricultural industry.
It is distributed directly to individuals and through FCI Partner Associations, (consisting mainly of growers, breeders, wholesalers, landscapers and some retail), on a bi-monthly basis from the Americas to Australasia in both printed and digital forms.
Our publishing organisation is the global horticultural Expo licencing body, the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH). This governing body has membership associations whose prime purpose is to champion the power of plants.
Each edition of FCI has thorough articles based upon a country from around the world and its specific horticultural industry.
We write about themes in celebration of floriculture. These include propagation, breeding, substrates and sustainability; flower trials and auctions; process automation and horticultural machinery; packaging and plastic alternatives; cold chain logistics and transportation; biophilia and Green City planning.
Currently, 5,500 subscribers receive printed versions directly, and 100,000 welcome it digitally – and many more people see it online every day.
FCI is delivered to 142 countries across the globe and features at many expos, and trades shows throughout the world.
In summary, FCI magazine, through its global reach, will enable your business to promote their brand and give visibility to your products in both new and existing target markets.
W: www.floracultureinternational.com
China Flowers & Horticulture is one of the most authoritative and influential periodicals of the floriculture industry in China. It was founded in 2001, sponsored by the China Flower Association and directed by the National Forestry and Grassland Administration. The magazine editorial committee is composed of secretaries of flower associations and branches of China Flower Association and nearly 50 well-known flower horticultural entrepreneurs in China.
The magazine is published biweekly, on the 1st and 15th of each month, which is printed in full colour coated paper in international 16K version. It aims at introducing industry policies, researching the theories, guiding the mass consumption, and fostering the development of the industry. It highlights guidance, knowledge and practicality and integrates policies, scientific technologies, production, and market information together to meet the needs of readers. It timely reports the latest trends of the market and prices, provides a detailed explanation of new policies, professional investigation of hot spots, and global latest flower technology. It also introduces the newest varieties and products of the industry in detail and provides practical technology and experience.
Commercial Horticulture is the bi-monthly trade journal of the New Zealand nursery industry bringing news, views and features on ornamental horticulture from New Zealand, Australia and around the world.”
Ecuador and its flowers is a specialised magazine, celebrating 15 years reaching the main flower producing farms in Ecuador and the main fairs in the world.
GrowerTalks/Green Profit is the combined grower and retailer magazine produced by Ball Horticultural Company in West Chicago, Illinois. Founded in 1937 by George J. Ball, GrowerTalks is one of the global horticulture industry’s longest-standing and most-respected publications, serving growers throughout North America with timely production and marketing information. Ball Publishing also produces nine e-newsletters, including the widely read Acres Online by Chris Beytes, which are available for free around the world.
GULF AGRICULTURE is a specialised horticulture magazine published in English. It circulates on a bi-monthly basis all news relating to horticulture, irrigation, landscaping, gardening and agriculture in the Gulf region. It is a B2B magazine where advertisers can market and promote their products in the Middle East.
With unmatched content, unique innovations and unprecedented reach, GULF AGRICULTURE has more than 40,000 online and print readership with an approximately 75,000-350,000 monthly imprints. The target audience includes agricultural, horticultural, gardening, landscaping, & irrigation professionals. Bonus copies distribute at more than 24 regional and international horticultural shows.
Horticulture Week is the leading information service for professionals working in horticulture including garden retail, ornamentals production, edibles production, landscape design & build, parks management, professional gardening, turf care and arboriculture.
IL FLORICULTORE is the first trade magazine founded in Italy for the floriculture industry, since 1964, IL FLORICULTORE is a valuable source of news and information for generations of growers, retailers and everyone involved in the plants & flowers market. With technical and generic articles it covers subjects as cultivation techniques and growing systems, trends and marketing, breeding and market data, pest control, flower design, fertilizers, education and careers, retail and supplies, irrigation, financial aspects, trade exhibitions, seminars and more. Together with its active website (www.ilfloricultore.it), newsletter and social media channels, IL
FLORICULTORE connects advertisers with the most qualified readership (growers, garden centres, florists, gardeners, crossbreeders and plant-breeders, wholesalers, manufacturers and traders of supplies, agents of plants seeds and bulbs and, generally, those who are interested in the ornamental horticulture).
More and more specialisation in horticulture was one of the reasons for the creation of Pod Osłonami PL. It is devoted to the cultivation of vegetables and ornamental plants in greenhouses and foil tunnels, as well as issues related to the growing production of berry plants undercover.
Vegetable and floriculture specialities have a lot in common and they often interpenetrate in practice – for example in traditional farms growing in tunnels, where tomatoes or cucumbers are grown in the spring cycle and chrysanthemums in autumn. Also in modern farming, for example, vegetable and decorative novelties are promoted – such as pot tomatoes or mini-peppers with ornamental fruit intended for sale in garden centres. With the changing economic situation in horticulture, it is worth being open to any new products that allow you to exist and stay on the market.
I hope you will be interested in the articles presented on the Pod Osłonami PL website. Over time, they will be expanded with new sections, I will be grateful for your suggestions on the topics presented. Feel free to jointly create the content of the portal.