Funding will boost Canadian flower exports
Click here to view the announcement, that was posted on the Facebook page of Newstalk 610 CKTB
Investment
On behalf of Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister, Lawrence MacAulay, Chris Bittle made the funding announcement. Bittle began his speech by pointing out the efforts that go into Canada's Flowers exported to international markets like the United States and that the cooperation of Government and Flowers Canada Growers to help growers to expand in this market. Then he announced the federal investment of $393,070 to Flowers Canada Growers. "Over 178,000 of the funding will support training to help greenhouse growers like Colonial get up to speed on new requirements. The United States is by far our largest customer for flowers. This investment will give your valued customers the assurances they need that Canadian flowers will continue to meet their needs for quality, safety, innovation and timely delivery,” Bittle said.
“The second part of this investment will help Flowers Canada Growers build markets in the United States, through investment worth $214,000. This investment will support key outreach activities including intending meetings and trade shows, hosting international sales missions, publishing an annual directories and buyers guides, and building a social media marketing campaign."
Colonial Florists to expand sales into the US
Bittle made this announced at Colonial Florists in St. Catharines, Ontario. Colonial Florists co-owner Ron van der Zalm told the St. Catharines Standard that his greenhouse business exports about one-third of the flowers it grows to U.S. customers. With this federal funding they hope to expand their sales into this market. Click here to read the entire article on St. Catharines Standard's website.
Importance of Floriculture in Canada
Floriculture is an important part of the Canadian horticultural industry, with more than 1900 growers producing 28 per cent of the Canadian horticultural production. In 2016, ornamental product sales (including greenhouse flowers and plants, nursery products, and sod products) totaled $2.3 billion. That includes $1.5 billion from greenhouse flower and plant sales (and resales).
Sources: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Newstalk 610 CKTB's Facebook page, St. Catharines Standard