Ecuador’s Agriflor 2014 draws more than 3,000 visitors
Ecuador’s Agriflor 2014 draws more than 3,000 visitors
Expoflores held its 15th biennial international flower trade show, Agriflor 2014, Oct. 1-4 in Quito, Ecuador. The fair was held in the CEMEXPO Exhibition Center and was filled with beautiful flowers from the first booth to the last one. A sea of roses could be seen if you looked down any of the aisles.
On Oct. 1 there was an official opening ceremony, which included remarks from several dignitaries, and then the doors of the hall were opened and the fair began. There were over 200 exhibiting companies and more than 3,000 visitors representing some 37 countries.
Currently, Ecuador’s top producing flowers are:
• Roses, 73 percent
• Gypsophila, 9 percent
• Alstroemeria, 3 percent
• Other, 15 percent
The United States, Russia and the European Union are the most important trading partners for Ecuadoran flower farms. Expoflores provided the following breakdown of how its sales to trading partners have changed in the past years:
1990
U.S., 88 percent
E.U., 9 percent
Canada, 3 percent
2000
U.S., 71 percent
E.U., 16 percent
Russia, 4 percent
Other, 8 percent
2013
U.S., 41 percent
E.U., 17 percent
Russia, 23 percent
Other, 19 percent
Many people took advantage of their time in Ecuador by visiting flower farms during the mornings since the exhibit hall was not open until the afternoon. Everyone should try to visit the farms at some point because they show just how much goes into growing the beautiful roses and flowers that Ecuador is known for.
The halls of the flower show were hustling and bustling with customers and growers talking, along with old friends catching up with each other since either the last show or the last time they saw each other. Many of the flower importers were there reaching out to their suppliers.
The Agriflor 2014 Celebration Cocktail Reception was held Oct. 3 at the San Francisco de Quito convent. First, participants were able to view the magnificent church before they made their way to the beautiful courtyard. There were trays of finger foods and music played while everyone mingled and networked in a relaxing and beautiful setting. There were dancers who wove in and out of the courtyard and showed some authentic Ecuadorian dances in very ornamental costumes. Even though it was a little chilly for those of us from south Florida as the night went on, it was nice to be able to interact with everyone in such a serene place.
Congratulations to HPP Exhibitions and Expoflores for putting on a great show.
Christine Boldt is the executive vice president of the Association of Floral Importers of Florida. She can be contacted at [email protected].
