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European imports of fruit and vegetables vs self-sufficiency

As the climate in the EU is not suitable for the production of tropical fruit, the EU relies on imports of tropical fruits such as bananas –the most popular fruit in Europe–, pineapples, kiwifruit, avocados and mangos.

Temperate and sub-tropical species such as citrus fruit, grapes and pears are imported as well, but mainly in out of the European growing season. Countries in the southern hemisphere are able to supply when the countries in the northern hemisphere can not. This is also known as counter-season supply. For fruit products that can be stored, such as apples, the counter season is less evident. With the continual improvements in storage life and storage conditions of fruit products, the off-season is shortened.Read More »European imports of fruit and vegetables vs self-sufficiency

Growing importance of Remote Buying (KOA) in the EU flower trade

In The Netherlands, growing numbers of commercial companies are choosing remote buying to purchase their products on the auction. As with image auctioning, where the product is not physically present at the auction clocks, with remote buying (KOA), auction buyers need not be sitting in the stands.

Often, the wholesale companies have established a special dealing room on their company premises for this purpose. In the comfort of their own offices, anywhere in the world, they can buy online on all the FloraHolland auction clocks. Growers, who supply the products, can see in real-time on the Internet how the buying process is going.Read More »Growing importance of Remote Buying (KOA) in the EU flower trade

The European market for bromeliads pot plants and bromeliad cuttings

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In Europe, bromeliads have been cultivated and traded already for a long time. The largest bromeliad nurseries in the world producing cuttings and finished pot plants are located in The Netherlands. Currently, about 30 Dutch companies produce bromeliads. Guzmania is by far the biggest bromeliad traded at the Dutch auctions. Other important bromeliads are Vriesea, Tillandsia and Aechmea.

At young plant level, the bromeliad market is extremely competitive and is dominated by small number of relatively big breeding companies (Corn. Bak, Deroose Plants, Exoticplant) who compete for market share with a steady stream of new patented varieties. These breeders (or so-called improvers or hybridisers) are working constantly to produce ever more spectacular and hardy varieties for the market. The search for finding new varieties is fuelled by one thing: new stock. Read More »The European market for bromeliads pot plants and bromeliad cuttings

Summer flowers: a favourite filler in European bouquets.

A recently published CBI market survey for summer flowers, which was compiled by ProVerde, shows that turnover in summer flowers has increased steadily over the past couple of years. An important contributing factors has been steadily increasing supermarket sales and the resulting increased demand for bouquet fillers. The recent global economic crisis, however, has also affected the European summer flower trade.Read More »Summer flowers: a favourite filler in European bouquets.

Novelties and top quality remain key to success in the tropical flower market

This week, CBI published its latest market survey for tropical flowers, which was compiled by ProVerde.  The survey shows that a number of developing countries holds a strong position in supplying tropical flowers to the European market. The European market is characterised by very strict quality requirements and a high level of interest in innovation and new species; experience has shown that new products can acquire a rapidly growing market share, following initial introduction to the trade.Read More »Novelties and top quality remain key to success in the tropical flower market

Virtualisation at the main Dutch flower auctions

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First, there was the Dutch auction method, then the auction clock made its appearance, and now it is time for the next phase: clock projection, image auctioning and distant buying (KOA).

At FloraHolland Aalsmeer, the auction has worked in recent years towards the creation of a modern and flexible auction system. Five of the fourteen auction clocks use image auctioning and one clock uses virtual auctioning. Two more clocks will probably change to image auctioning in 2010.Read More »Virtualisation at the main Dutch flower auctions

The EU market for certified timber and timber products

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The EU market is the largest consumer and importer of timber and timber products in the world. On a country level, however, a different picture exists: global imports are led by the USA; Japan is also a major importer, but its role in the global timber trade is declining; China, on the other hand, becomes an important player in the timber market. The latter mainly imports raw materials and exports finished timber products. In doing so, China takes the lead in the global furniture trade, hereby strongly affecting the market share of traditional low-cost furniture exporters, such as Malaysia and Indonesia.

The EU construction sector is the most important market sector for timber and timber products and uses up to 70% of all timber consumed in the EU, followed by the further-processing industry (most notably the furniture industry). The DIY market segment is of less importance, although its market share in sales of timber and timber products is steadily increasing.Read More »The EU market for certified timber and timber products

Market study waxflowers for WAFEX, Australia

WAFEX is the leading exporter of cut flowers (fresh and dried) in Australia with warehouse, packing and cool room facilities in both Melbourne and Perth. In 2009, seeing an opportunity to become the world’s leading source of new waxflower (Chamelaucium) varieties, Craig Musson and Adrian Parsons, Directors of WAFEX, established their new company Helix Australia. Having secured a range of new and improved Waxflower varieties, Helix Australia is developing networks of licensed growers locally and overseas in both the cut flower and nursery industries.Read More »Market study waxflowers for WAFEX, Australia

Eastern Europe a growth market for fruit and vegetables

fruitandvegetables150x150The EU market for fresh fruit and vegetables is declining in volume but growing in value. In much of the eastern European Union consumption is still growing and consumers are shifting from basic fruit and vegetables towards more diverse produce, including exotics. At the same time, the availability there of other food products, such as snacks and fast food, is a source of heated competition for fresh fruit and vegetables. The markets in countries such as Germany, Spain, Italy and France are large but nearly saturated. Only certain market niches and product groups provide opportunities for growth.

More and more EU entrepreneurs in this business are opting for offshore outsourcing, i.e. moving parts of the production process to developing countries (DCs). As they face increasing pressure to improve, many of them consider offshore outsourcing a strategic means of lowering production costs, increasing their own company’s capacity for products with a higher added-value outsourcing products with a lower added-value. While the number of fruit and vegetable growers in the EU has been declining for decades, their involvement in offshore fruit and vegetable growing is increasing.Read More »Eastern Europe a growth market for fruit and vegetables