BGI announces ‘Building partnership’ conference

BGI Verbandstag 2017.

COLOGNE, Germany: The Verband des Deutschen Blumen- Gross- und Importhandels e.V., also known as the BGI,  has announced the BGI-Verbandstag 2019 conference will take place in the Maritim Hotel, Cologne on Friday 13^th and Saturday 14^th September. This year’s theme will be ‘Building Partnerships’ – exploring the need for close collaboration in the supply chain.

Attending the BGI conference can be a useful way to gain industry knowledge, insight and important new contacts. If your role involves dealing with flower imports and exports, whether as a buyer or an import/export manager, put these conference dates in your calendar.

Following BGI’s AGM and evening reception and BBQ on Friday, Saturday September 14^th is a seminar targeting all aspects of economics, trade and development and the possible solutions. The German wholesale and import trade of ornamentals  is facing significant challenges , some longstanding, others triggered by climate change, changing consumer habits and Millennials and Generation Z proving to be an environmentally/socially-conscious generation. In an economic environment filled with mergers and acquisitions BGI also will explore existing and new business structures and the potential of more co-operative business models.

BGI is the leading German trade association in facilitating the trade in cut flowers, cut foliage and potted plants, both in wholesale and imports. Their  expertise in customs, phytosanitary checks, the WTO, free trade agreements, is established in history reaching back to July 3^rd 1965 when the trade association was founded. The association has 110 members in Germany, accounting for 80% of the total turnover in flower wholesale. Germany is the largest consumer market for fresh cut flowers and potted plants within the EU . Total market value based on retail prices lies around 8.7 billion euros.

Germany (and the UK) is also one of the biggest import markets in the EU. As for Germany, most trade goes through the Netherlands. In the case of the UK, a considerable and increasing share of the products is imported directly; especially those flowers supplied to large UK retailers.

BGI is an active member of Union Fleurs, the Brussels-based international flower trade association.