Germany’s Import Promotion Desk (IPD) to bring a large contingent of SME flower farms to the forthcoming IFTF show

Germany’s Import Promotion Desk (IPD), an initiative established by the Federation of German Wholesale, Foreign Trade and Services (BGA) and sequa gGmbH, is expanding its commitment and will be flying once again the flag for Ecuador, Colombia and Kenya at the International Floriculture Trade Fair (IFTF) in Vijfhuizen, Netherlands between 8-10 November 2023.

Building on its successful debut at last year’s IFTF, IPD will accompany 16 flower farmers from Colombia, Ecuador and Kenya, who will showcase their products and services at the IPD pavilion, #A4.24, at IFTF.

Occupying pride of place will be carnations from Colombia and Ecuador and summer flowers and Hypericum from Kenya.

An absolute first are several companies from Ecuador and Colombia offering speciality bouquets, including, for example, Heliconias or Proteas.

IPD has been established and implemented by sequa gGmbH – the global development organisation of German industry, and the Federation of German Wholesale, Foreign Trade and Services (BGA.). The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) funds the agency.

IPD is an initiative for import promotion in Germany. The agency serves as a bridge between small and medium-sized enterprises in selected emerging markets and developing countries on the one hand and European importers on the other. The objective is to integrate the partner countries into global trade, thereby contributing towards sustainable economic development in these countries.

IPD introduces exporters from its partner countries to the EU market and assists them in setting up trading relations. For European importers, the IPD opens up new supply sources in the partner countries and helps them procure specific products. IPD’s matchmaking services are free of charge.

Leading carnation and Chrysanthemum producer Colombia is set to impress with great variety and high product quality. The company Ecoflor, for example, can offer quality carnations in large volumes. Until now, Ecoflor’s product range was only available through intermediaries, but now direct trade is possible. Ecuador is also emerging as a leading carnation grower: M&J Flowers, located at the foot of the Cotopaxi volcano, produces around 25 varieties, among which six mini varieties.

In Kenya, IPD works with owner-managed companies, too. They are located away from the well-known growing areas, around Lake Naivasha, Mount Kenya or Nakurur, and are flexible and reliable partners with a high-quality range. They will showcase their large selection of summer flowers at the IFTF.

The company Florenica Blooms, for example, supplies varieties such as Anigozanthos (kangaroo paw), Echinacea, Carthamus or Limonium and can flexibly respond to customers’ requests regarding packaging and delivery quantity. Mount Kenya Alstroemeria’s flower farm produces quality Alstroemerias, Hypericum and roses in bright colours.