Dutch Ministry of Agriculture announces Technology Roadshow at ProFlora Colombia

A roadshow on business and horticultural technology solutions for Colombian and international flower and plant growers is to be held from September 30 – October 4, 2019 as part of Colombia’s premier flower trade show, ProFlora, taking place at Bogotá’s Corferias convention centre (October 2-4, 2019).

Colombia is second only to the Netherlands as the world’s largest flower exporter. In 2018, Colombian flower-growing greenhouses, dotted around the Bogotá savanna, Rionegro, Caldas and Valle del Cauca regions generated approximately 1500 million USD in export revenue, compared to 1400 million USD in 2017.

These high growth rates can be explained by the recovery of the country’s major export markets along with better prices, that is, a favourable exchange rate of the Colombian peso, giving Colombian floral exporters more competitive products to sell. With 95% of Colombian-grown flowers destined for export sales to more than 97 foreign destinations, the country’s floral industry is truly an international business.

As the sector continues to grow and develop there is growing demand for automation solutions and state-of-the-art horticultural technology as labour shortage and rising wages continue to put pressure on the sector. In the post-harvest environment, the demand for automated solutions is especially strong.

What’s more, complex and recurring climate phenomenons such as ‘El Niño’ and ‘La Niña’ cause dramatic fluctuations in temperature and rainfall. In 2015, for example, El Nino caused a 20% loss in Colombia’s flower production. In 2018, for the first time in history, a code red weather alert was sent out for 35.4% of the country, incurring  El Niño risks.

Protected cropping and the use of (Dutch) horticultural technology is becoming increasingly more important. As such, participation in the Dutch Technology Roadshow at Proflora is of particular interest for horticultural suppliers, greenhouse construction companies, young plant producers, research institutes, crop consultants and service providers for cultivators.

Participants in the Roadshow are invited to take part in farm tours offering them the possibility to go behind the scenes at flower farms in Antioquia/Medellin-Rio Negro. Additionally, there will be a round table debate on horticultural technology.

There is still room for 15 participants so be quick to register. Registrations are handled on a first come, first serve basis.

For more information: bog-lnv@minbuza.nl and jwvanbokhoven@hollandhouse-colombia.com

For more information on Proflora: www.proflora.org.co