It hasn't been a good Valentine's season for everyone, reports Ecuadorian carnation grower José Tipán in a recent LinkedIn post. "The carnation sector bears the brunt of the dispute between Russia and Ecuador."
Click here or see below the entire post (in Spanish) with pictures
Due to the recent political problems between Russia and Ecuador, one of the products vetoed for entry into the Russian Federation is the carnation, he explains. "In recent weeks, there was an abundance of carnations in the warehouses as exports to this country have been suspended. In turn is is causing losses for producers and exporters.
In the province of Cotopaxi, in the rural parishes of Latacunga, Saquisili, Salcedo and Pujili most of the carnations are being produced in Ecuador (with approximately 300 hectares of greenhouses dedicated to this crop). Of these, 230 hectares belong to small producers who cultivate between 500 and 5000 square meters of greenhouses.
90% of the carnations exported were destined for Russia, he continues. "This is directly affecting the carnation growers and especially the small entrepreneurs. On top of that, 16 people are employed for each hectare, so if the problem persists, 5,000 people will be directly harmed, without taking into account all the people who will be indirectly affected. Many ventures are on the verge of bankruptcy, as obligations are coming with banks, with the IESS, with suppliers, among others. It's not like the government that says nothing happens. Many families are the ones who are harmed..."
