REGIONAL BRIEFS
No Cause of Alarm
By the way, things have calmed down in Uganda. Things are now handled in the Netherlands; the Dutch Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation has requested the Embassy in Uganda to investigate the recent events.
Royal van Zanten employees entered a greenhouse that had just been disinfected and a week later, other employees entered a different Royal van Zanten greenhouse and came into contact with the remains of two eco-friendly products and a chemical agent.
Smit has been very disappointed about the way the two incidents were handled by all sorts of organisations and the media. The incidents got totally blown out of proportion - the Ugandan floricultural industry was accused of sexual harassment and slavery. Smit spoke with the union last week. “I asked them whether, during the 22 years that we have been here, there had ever been any reports of sexual harassment at our farms. And whether they had ever heard of us missing a single month’s payment. The union could only negate these things.”
Social impact
Smit also points out that last spring, someone from a NGO conducted a study into the social impact Royal van Zanten had on its environment in Uganda. ”The outcome was very positive, we were portrayed as a good employer. We offer childcare, special employee loans, hospitals and free medical care. It was very disappointing to see how the media jumped on top of these incidents. A police spokesperson whose negative statements were quoted in the media, had never even visited any of our farms.”
Smit acknowledges that the incidents shouldn’t have happened. “We followed up on them, in accordance with all protocols, to ensure that these things wouldn’t happen again. It’s a shame that, while we’re making a real effort, the story is completely taken out of context. I have been contacted via WhatsApp and phone calls, from 5.30 a.m. until 10 p.m. - completely outrageous. You can ask me anything about what it’s like to be put in a bad light by the media. I’ve become an expert by now.”
Cuttings are catching up with flowers in Uganda
Uganda’s flower export has seen a slight drop in the past couple of years. However, as a cutting producing country, Uganda continues to maintain its importance. The Ugandan export value of cuttings has almost surpassed the export value of flowers.
Good quality cuttings
However, Uganda’s constant climate does make it a very suitable location for the production of cuttings. The quality is good and production is high. The export value of cuttings was $13.6 million in 2002 and this had gone up to $29.7 million by last year.
The Ugandan export value of cuttings has thus almost surpassed their export value of flowers. Some of the companies based in Uganda, have their roots in the Netherlands: Wagagai, JP Cuttings, Xclusive Cuttings, Fiduga/ Dümmen Orange and Royal Van Zanten.
The most important destination for cuttings is the Netherlands, followed at a great distance by countries like Norway, China, Germany, Canada, Austria, South Africa, Spain and Italy.
Feico Smit, managing director at Royal van Zanten Uganda, believes that there’s a slight shift from Ethiopia to Uganda. In addition, the cutting producers in Uganda are expanding a little. Royal van Zanten produces cuttings for both cut and potted chrysanthemums, celosia, bouvardia and asters in Uganda. Musoke says that the Ugandan cutting production shows a stable growth, both in hectares and in volume
GLOBAL BRIEFS
Japanese flowers try to conquer Europe
At IFTF in Vijfhuizen, Japanese export organisations are trying to increase their sales in Europe with their own assortment, which includes lathyrus, ranunculus, gentiana, gloriosa and lisianthus.
One of the attending Japanese companies is the Bloom Japan Network. This sales organisation, which was visiting IFTF for the first time, had been selling gentiana, lathyrus, ranunculus, gloriosa, oxypetalem and scabiosa from Japanese nurseries to European countries for a year. They hardly sold anything the previous years, because the prices were too low. This year is better, says Yutaka Shirakawa.
Asia remains Bloom Japan’s biggest market, but Shirakawa indicates that the market for Japanese flowers is growing in the United States, Europe and the Middle East. At IFTF, Bloom Japan was exhibiting 120 varieties of 20 different flowers.
Shirakawa says that the types of flowers that are sold the most in Europe are gloriosa, lathyrus, ranunculus, gentiana and lisianthus. The Netherlands is the gateway to Europe for Japanese flowers according to Yutaka Shirakawa.
Gloriosa
The Japan Flowers and Plants Export Association exports flowers as well as plants (including bonsai) to Europe. “Gloriosa is very important for our export to Europe,” says Kouji Ishiguro of Flower Auction Japan, which is part of this export organisation, supported by the Japanese Government.
Japan Flowers and Plants Association also considers the Netherlands as a gateway. The organisation has an agent in the Netherlands, who sells the Japanese flowers in other European countries as well. “In 2016, the export to Europe increased compared to the two previous years”, says Ishiguro.
Gloriosa, exhibited at IFTF in various colours and with long, thick stems, is the most important product at the moment. According to Ishiguro, gloriosa is a good introduction to the European market for the Japanese products. “It positions us well”.
Green trick
Breeder Miyoshi also exhibited at Vijfhuizen. The company cultivates brassica, green trick, matthiola, lisianthus, delphinium and more. Director Seiichi Miyoshi pointed out that the flower industry in Japan was declining. The floricultural industry is ageing; many growers don’t have anyone who can take over.
This means that the Japanese market is decreasing for Miyoshi. “Japan is our biggest market and we would like to expand there, but it’s hard.” Miyoshi’s main customers outside Japan are the big flower producing countries like Ecuador, Colombia, Kenya, Israel and the Netherlands.
Strong Partnership: Messe Essen and Green Expo Sign Cooperation Contract
Optimally Oriented in Russia: International Plant Fairs Bundle Competence and Create Synergetic Effects
Strong cooperation promises good chances for the future: FlowersExpo, the most important sectoral platform in Russia, and IPM ESSEN, the world’s leading fair for horticulture, will come together under the new fair title FlowersExpo powered by IPM ESSEN. From September 12 to 14, 2017, the trade fair in the Crocus Expo International Exhibition Centre in Moscow will show a cross section of subjects relevant to the sector. The partnership between Messe Essen and the Russian fair organiser GreenExpo will support German and international companies in extending business relationships on the Russian market.
FlowersExpo is the largest plant trade fair in the Eastern European region and an absolute must for specialists from Eastern Europe. In this respect, the trade fair which has been growing for years portrays the entire value added chain in the green sector: from plant production and cut flowers via technology and floristry right up to the equipment at the point of sale.
Russia Still Important Sales Territory for EU Exports
In spite of political turbulences, the Russian market is proving to be crisisproof and thus continues to be an important bulk buyer for green products: In particular, the demand for ornamental and pot plants as well as for cut flowers is growing steadily and cannot be met by domestic production. For international companies, it is all the more important to show their presence on the Russian market - As the leading meeting place of the green sector in Russia and Eastern Europe, FlowersExpo powered by IPM ESSEN will offer the perfect opportunity for this.
BREEDER BRIEFS
Dümmen Orange Introduces New White Rose
“SnowStorm+ is a force of nature, packed into a white rose with amazing strength. Outstanding transport qualities, commanding presence, available now for all your powerful arrangements.” That’s
how Dümmen Orange describes the new rose they introduced at the IFTF.
“SnowStorm+ offers premium flower power in a white rose with a firm bud (size 4.5-5 cm) and an excellent storage life. Its strong petals show no bruising after transport, which is unique and extraordinary for white roses. It is how SnowStorm+ earned its nickname: The Power Rose.”
Vigorous white rose
SnowStorm+ is created by hybridizer Dümmen Orange. The rose has been intensively tested by specialized rose farm Oserian. The promising results led to commercial planting on 1.5 ha. More SnowStorm+ roses are planted every week. SnowStorm+ is exclusively available per Dutch Flower Group (DFG) .
Dutch breeder introduces new roses
Rose breeder United Selections introduces two new cut roses: Sankara and Adorable. The two new varieties will be supplied at the Royal FloraHolland auctions. Sankara has a length of 50-80 cm and a head size of 5.0-6.0 cm. The vase life is according to United Selections more than 15 days. Sankara suits to growing areas such as Africa, Asia, Latin America and Middle East. Adorable has a length of 50-90 cm and a head size of 6.0-6.5 cm. The vase life of Adorable should be 10-12 days. As growing areas for this new variety are mentioned Africa, Latin America and Middle East.
Red rose Toro Rosso introduced by TimaFlor
Timaflor auctioned for the first time their new premium red rose Toro Rosso at Royal Flora Holland Aalsmeer on Monday 7th of November. Together with Lolomarik, Timaflor planted 4 hectares in Timau, Kenya and will supply length 40 to 80 cm on a daily basis. Fresco Flowers - located in Aalsmeer- takes care of the unpacking, control and sales of Toro Rosso.
Toro Rosso has a bright red color, fewer thorns and an excellent vase life with a beautiful opening of the flower. With a bud height of 6 cm, Toro Rosso has an excellent presentation during sales and in the vase. Torro Rosso is developed by Select Breeding in the Netherlands. Select Breeding is specialized in the development of medium and T-hybrid cut roses. For the potted plant growers, Select Breeding has a special range of luxury terrace roses.
‘Kordes’ Garden Roses Favoured in Many Regions of the World’
World Federation Of Roses Societies Trial Winners
The winners of the rose trials of the World Federation of Rose Societies are announced. In 20 regions spread over 14 countries all over the world, potted and garden rose varieties from different breeders have been trialed. The winners of the awards are listed below. Interesting to notice is the fact that German rose breeder Kordes is mentioned above average and the fact that many winning varieties were bred by the local breeders.
List of winners per country and region:
Australia - Adelaide Eye Shadow (syn. Nabucco) (CHEwsumstar) - C. Warner of England.
Belgium - Le Roeulx (VIScoal) - Vissers of Belgium - Kortrijk: (KO 03/1781-09) - Kordes of Germany. (Golden rose of Kortrijk) (09-264) - ILVO of Belgium. Kiss Me Kate (KORnagelio -KO 05- 2591-07) - Kordes of Germany. Madame Anisette (syn. Madame de la Vallière) (KORberonem - KO 04/1553-01) - Kordes of Germany. Limona (KORmonali - KO 05/2376- 01) - Kordes of Germany. (09-51) - ILVO of Belgium.
France - Lyon Perfume Cup (INTercomgarf)- Interplant of The Netherlands., (MR409)- Richardier of Meilland of France. Mandarin (KORlisuha - KO 03/1075- 02) - Kordes of Germany. The numerouse, Alizée (SAUrafun - SB 09.86) - Sauvageot of France. Alaska (in Germany) (syn. Future) (KORjoslio - KO 05/2528-01)- Kordes of Germany. - Saverne (EVEcot) - Eve and Rateau of France. - Paris (Bagatelle) (EVEtricol) - Eve and Rateau of France. Louis Blériot (MEIbivers) - Meilland of France. Click here to view all the awarded varieties in this region.
Italy - La Tacita - May 22, 2016 Kölner Flora (KORmahensi - KO 03/1428-02) - Kordes of Germany. - Rome (KO 03/1781-09) - Kordes of Germany. Rosiere de France (ADArosieref) - Adam of France. White Angel (ADAdiamaq) - Adam of France. (MR316) - Meilland of France.
Japan - Gifu Le Ciel Bleu is a Shrub - Kimura of Japan.
Netherlands - The Hague Sirius (RT 05415) - Tantau of Germany. Brillant Korsar (syn. Brilliant Corsair, Orange Flair) (KORtempora) - Kordes of Germany. (DICalfa) - Dickson of Northern Ireland. (Not yet in commerce) (B-07-0004-002)- Boot & De Ruiter of The Netherlands. (Not yet in commerce)
New Zealand - Palmerston North Quintessential (SOMhearteen) - Somerfield of New Zealand. - Hamilton Christchurch Remembers (SOMcrimart) - Somerfield of New Zealand.
Scotland - Glasgow Sirius (TAN05415, RT 05415) - Tantau of Germany.(Golden Prize of City of Glasgow) Prague (POUlcas043)- Poulsen of Denmark.
Spain - Madrid (Y1439) - Velle of Lens Roses of Belgium. (Rose of Madrid) (EVEtricol) - Eve and Rateau of France. - Barcelona (ADAphyri) - Adam of France. (Special Barcelona Award )
USA - Rose Hills Doris Day - Bedard of USA. (Golden Rose of Rose Hills) Neil Diamond (WEKdereroro) - Carruth of USA. - Asheville Polar Express (syn. Gletscherfee, Perla Bianca) (KORblixmu - KO 98/1334-02) - Kordes of Germany.
Czech Republic - Hradec Králové Gräfin Diana - Kordes of Germany.
Germany , Baden-Baden - Marchenzauber (KORmarzau - KO 03/1750-01) - Kordes of Germany. (Golden Rose of Baden-Baden) Marchenzauber (KORmarzau - KO 03/1750-01) - Kordes of Germany. (KO 07/3314-04) - Kordes of Germany.
Monaco - Madamoiselle Meilland (MEInostair)- Meilland of France. Racquel (POUlren023) - Poulsen of Denmark. Philippe Colignon (LAPcoli) - Laperriere of France. Rayon de Soleil (MEIanycid - AM129) - Meilland of France. Lizzy (TAN10553)) - from Tantau of Germany. Cream Meidiland (MEImeigea) - Meilland of France. Esprit d’Amour (syn. Spirit of Love, Europa Nostra) (VISamalbi - VMX5050) - VIVA International of Belgium. Georges Moustaki (FEgema) - Ferrer of Spain.
Belfast, Northern Ireland - Madame Anisette (syn. Madame de la Vallière) (KORberonem - KO 04/1553-01) - Kordes of Germany. (City of Belfast Award)
For more information World Federation of Rose Societies Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. www.worldrose.org.
