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Packaging and packaging waste: EU legislation

With a view to reduce impact of packaging on the environment, the EU has laid down legislation that establishes measures concerning the management of packaging and packaging waste. These measures aim at preventing the production of packaging waste, and in addition at reusing packaging, at recycling and other forms of recovering packaging waste and as such to reduce the final disposal of such waste. Although the Directive does not address producers and exporters from developing countries directly, set maximum concentration levels for heavy metals contained in packaging and labelling requirements do apply to all packaging placed on the EU market. Exporters from developing countries have to make sure to comply with the requirements on heavy metal and labelling in order to enter the EU market.Read More »Packaging and packaging waste: EU legislation

Virtualisation in the flower trade: remote buying

A strong development in the European flower business is the increasing importance of virtualisation. Virtualisation plays a major role in the reduction of transaction costs. Until a few years ago, the development of virtual flower trade was hampered by the perceived importance of visual appearance to determine product quality. Improvements in the provision of accurate supply information and reliability, however, have made virtualisation a major success.Read More »Virtualisation in the flower trade: remote buying

EU cut flower imports – 2008 Eurostat figures

Eurostat trade statistics illustrate that the EU is the world’s leading importer of flowers, with imports amounting to € 3.5 billion in 2008. In the period 2004-2008, imports increased significantly at an annual average rate of 1.9% in terms of value. In terms of volume, imports actually decreased by 2.1% on average per year. These opposite developments show that average prices of the imported flowers became higher.Read More »EU cut flower imports – 2008 Eurostat figures

UK social code of conduct: Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI)

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The Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) is a social code of conduct that commits participating companies in the UK to guarantee decent working conditions throughout the supply chain. The ETI was originally developed in response to a need signalled in the food and garment sectors and these sectors continue to be the most important ones. However, the ETI is open to all companies and among the participants, representatives from for instance the cosmetics and stationery sector are also found.Read More »UK social code of conduct: Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI)

Some of Kenya’s biggest flower producers scaled down production due to water scarcity

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A water rationing mode currently effected in Naivasha, the bedrock for flower farming, is likely to deny the country the revenue from improved sales ahead of the onset of the peak flower season later this month.

Analysts say the move is adding to the troubles the sector is facing. The industry reported a decline in demand for its products in key markets since the onset of global recession last year, as production drops further with the ongoing drought.
Read More »Some of Kenya’s biggest flower producers scaled down production due to water scarcity

Development Bank of Ethiopia may ease debts for flower farms

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Authorities at the state-owned Development Bank of Ethiopia have begun contemplating rescheduling the debt repayment period of flower farms based on the farms’ current performance.The current new thinking of the authorities is an outcome of DBE’s credit team’s assessment of the flower farms, a top official of the bank told Capital.
Read More »Development Bank of Ethiopia may ease debts for flower farms

Eastern Europe a growth market for fruit & vegetables

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The 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.
Read More »Eastern Europe a growth market for fruit & vegetables