In a collaborative effort to assess the challenges and opportunities in the global floral industry, the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) brought together industry leaders from major flower-growing nations.
The event, hosted by Chrysal at their head office in Naarden on 4 November, gathered senior representatives from the grower associations of key flower-producing countries, Colombia (Asocolflores), Kenya (KFC), Ethiopia (EHPEA), Ecuador (Expoflores), India (GFCI), the German wholesalers association, BGI, as well as Florint and Dr Soner Kazaz, from the Department of Horticulture at Ankara University, Türkiye.
AIPH was represented by President Leonardo Capitanio, Secretary General Tim Briercliffe, and Senior International Relations Manager Treve Evans, reinforcing the association’s commitment to facilitating international collaboration. “This event underscores our shared mission of fostering a sustainable future for floriculture,” Briercliffe stated. “By coming together, we can tackle the pressing issues facing our industry and drive forward meaningful, collective solutions.”
The group were welcomed by Chrysal International CEO Remko Muntinga, who gave an overview of how climate change is changing our industry and the need to find more sustainability solutions. The meeting went on to review the challenges faced by flower growers in the main producing countries. Sustainability was a significant topic, including how the sector can improve consumer perception, progress in footprinting, pesticide reduction, approval of bio-control products and worker welfare. The group also discussed the challenges of plant health outbreaks, labour shortages in all countries, land costs, illegal production, security, industry consolidation, taxes and wages.
There was enthusiasm for AIPH to continue to facilitate such meetings and to develop an action plan for global collaboration for the sector.
During the event, the group met with participants in the Floriculture Mastercourse, run by Jungle Talks. Current and future leaders discussed the sustainability challenges faced to identify a new vision for the future.
Commenting on the meeting, the CEO of Kenya Flower Council, Clement Tulezi, said, “This meeting provided a great opportunity for the top flower-producing nations to come together. It was clear that we all face many similar challenges. Our sector is facing threats from many angles and working together will ensure we are prepared for the future.”
Meeting participants:
AIPH: Leonardo Capitanio (President), Tim Briercliffe (Secretary General), Treve Evans (Senior International Relations Manager)
Chrysal International BV: Remko Muntinga (CEO), Ben Worm (Chief Marketing Officer), Nora Meijerink (Sustainability & People Director)
Ms Lena Stryjska, Secretary General, Florint, Poland
Mr Augusto Solano, President Asocolflores, Colombia and President of Union Fleurs
Mr Tewodros Zewdie, Executive Director, Ethiopian Horticultural Producers Exporters Association, Ethiopia
Mr Clement Tulezi, CEO, Kenya Flower Council, Kenya
Mr Eduardo Letort, President, Expoflores, Ecuador
Ms. Andrea Kirchhoff, Managing Director, BGI, Germany
Prof Dr Soner Kazaz, Department of Horticulture, Ankara University, Turkiye
Mr Narendra Patil, Snr Vice President, Soex Flora, India and Growers Flower Council of India
