Fewer orders from abroad, falling prices and the devaluation of the dollar have affected the sector.
According to the Foreign Trade Promoter, Procomer, in the case of ornamental plants the values were $ 83 million in 2008, $ 67 million in 2009 and $ 78 million in 2010.
For foliage the values were $ 77 million in 2008, $ 64 million in 2009 and $ 63 million in 2010.
The Guatemalan industry of ornamental plants, flowers and foliage in Guatemala is growing at an annual rhythm of 10%.
This sector, that generates annual incomes close to $100 million, groups more than 125 companies that produce and export nearly 80 species and 200 varieties of ornamental plants, foliage and flowers, indicated the director of the ornamental plants commission of the Guatemalan Association of Exporters (Agexport), Briggitte Obrock.
Exports of roses were suspended in 2008, and were resumed a week ago, initially to Miami and Orlando.
Francisco Jolop Yoc, vice president of Asoflorsa, the Association of Flower Growers from San Juan, remarked that they had to import 8 new rose varieties from Ecuador to satisfy the requirements of the U.S. market.
"So far in the year, the country has earned $59.8 million exporting flowers, plants and seeds, according to data from the Central Bank of Guatemala", reported newspaper Prensa Libre.
Dutch businessmen who have a specific interest in fruit, vegetables and flowers will arrive in September.
Nicaraguan exports to the Netherlands are currently $30 million annually, a remarkable increase compared to less than $3 million in 2002.
This increase is primarily due to ethanol exports from Nicaragua to the Netherlands.
José Adán Aguerri, president of the Superior Council of Private Enterprise (COSEP) of Nicaragua, along with other businessmen, met with Dutch ambassador Lambert Gringns, in an effort to increase export volume to the European nation.
Syngenta announced the purchase of Goldsmith Seeds, the largest producer of floral seeds in the World, with more than 1,500 employees and operations in Guatemala.
Founded in 1961 in Gilroy, California, USA, by the Goldsmith family, it is one of the largest producers of floral seeds in the world.
The company won the Medal of Peace in 1997 for maintaining its farms in Guatemala during the armed conflict.
The Department of Food Safety and the Colombian Agricultural Institute signed a protocolo regarding the import of flowers and plants from Colombia yesterday.
It was also pointed out that during the meeting held this week between Food Safety officials from both countries they were able to make significant progress on other issues.
"We have reached an agreement to reestablish poultry trade, specifically the export of fertile eggs from Panama to Colombia," said Real.
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