The United States has developed a local production of ornamentals and flowers, valued at $13.6 billion, which is complemented by imports that in 2016 totaled $2 billion.
From the executive summary of the report entitled "Market for plants, flowers and foliage in the USA", by Procomer Costa Rica:
The United States has developed a local production of ornamentals and flowers, valued at $13.6 billion USD (CAGR -1%), and is complemented by imports which totaled 2.008 billion in 2016. The majority corresponds to flowers (69%), followed by plants (24%) and foliage (7%).
The National Rice Corporation states that adhering to the regional initiative blights what has been achieved in bilateral agreements with each country in the Alliance.
The Costa Rican agro industry has closed ranks against the country's accession to the Pacific Alliance. Both producers and the minister himself, Luis Felipe Arauz, have stated that the agreement is unfavorable for products such as rice, coffee, swine, beef cattle, ornamental flowers and strawberry growers.
Opportunities in the Arab country have been announced for chutneys, organic coffee, pastries, organic tuna, dried fruits, plants, flowers and foliage.
The Foreign Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER) has opened a trade promotion office in Qatar. Alvaro Stone, director of Exports at the office, informed Nacion.com that an official has been based in the premises of the Embassy of Costa Rica in that country since late last year.
In the last five years imports of cut flowers fell from $850 million to $670 million, while ornamentals increased from $630 million to over $1 billion in the same period.
From a statement issued by the Foreign Trade Promotion Office:
Imports of fresh flowers are becoming fewer and more florists are closing in the United States, leading to more dynamism in the segment of ornamental plants.
Florexpo indicates excessive paperwork as the main reason behind the decision to close its operations in Costa Rica and move to Guatemala, making 400 employees redundant.
"In Guatemala an import permit seed is processed in two weeks and is effective for one year, while in our country, unfortunately, the process takes four months and the validity of the permit is for a month, this made it impossible to program negotiations and increased business costs by 300%. "
In the first four months of 2015, exports of fresh bananas, flowers, avocados, nuts, bananas, cocoa, instant coffee and tropical fruits had the largest growth compared to the same period in 2014.
From a statement issued by the Foreign Trade Promotion Office:
Colombia's agricultural exports to the European Union (EU) increased by 29% in the first quarter of this year, reaching 683 million euros, according to recently released official figures.
Costs will increase for exporters because of attempts to prevent their containers of fruits, tubers and ornamental plants exported to Europe from being used to transport drugs.
In Europe seizures of drugs hidden in Costa Rican agricultural exports have concerned the agro-export sector, which is demanding greater security controls and processes in shipping goods overseas, both for the measures carried out in the country as well as those carried out once borders have been crossed, explained industry representatives.
Foreign sales have been negatively affected by a loss of competitiveness with other exporting countries.
In 2013 flower exports fell by 5.4% compared to 2012, due to a loss of competitiveness against other exporters and climatic effects in some growing areas.
"The export of ornamental plants has been losing a lot of space, mainly because some countries are more competitive than us in this respect, in addition to problems such as a fluctuating exchange rate and the depression experienced by major export markets," said the President of the Chamber of Exporters of Costa Rica (Cadexco), Monica Segnini.
A Dutch study presents the expectations of importers of flowers and foliage in terms of sustainability, certification, required standards and other practices.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands has conducted a study detailing the expectations of consumers and importers of flowers and foliage in European countries, consumer preferences, procedures and techniques used in the production and transfer of flowers, labeling, relevance of certification of products, and definition of sustainability, among other things.
Increased production costs and increased international competition have forced 71% of producers to turn to other crops.
The reasons for this, explained Monica Segnini, president of the Chamber of Exporters of Costa Rica (Cadexco ) are first "the exchange rate and the appreciation of the colon over the last three years, added to which is the increase in production costs".
The country imports 90% of flowers demanded making it the second biggest buyer of the product within the European Union.
A statement from the Foreign Trade Promotion Office of Costa Rica (PROCOMER) reads:
In the UK there is a population of nearly 63 million people with high absorption capacity and a culture of acquisition of flowers, which determines that this country is the second largest importer of flowers and ornamental foliage within the European Union.
Plans are underway in Chicago, USA to open a cargo center for perishable goods which includes flowers, one of the foremost products in the perishable goods category.
From an article by the Costa Rican Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
Market development of floriculture in the U.S. has shifted mainly towards determining the capacity of distribution centers.
Dutch producers of plants, vegetables and flowers will visit both countries from 11 to 18 May 2013, looking for investors interested in the sector.
Information published by NethWork:
NethWork is organizing a trade mission to Guatemala and Costa Rica which will take place from Sunday 12 May to Saturday 18 May 2013.
NethWork is focussing on greenhouse production and there will be separate programs for companies specializing in floriculture (flowers, cuttings, potted plants, foliage) and vegetables.
The product will no longer have to be kept in quarantine when entering the country.
United States Phytosanitary authorities have decided to modify the entry conditions for chrysanthemums from Costa Rica.
The modification is the result of efforts by the industry to eliminate the spread of pests found in chrysanthemum cuttings, which was one of the main obstacles preventing entry the U.S. market.
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