The search for new markets is one of the focuses of the Commission of Ornamental Plants, Foliage, and Flowers of AGEXPORT. To achieve this, partnerships between the public and private sectors have been established. Additionally, efforts have been made to strengthen the industry through best practices and adding more producers to the value chain. To further promote this sector, the third Congress of Ornamental Plants, Foliage, and Flowers took place on September 5 and 6 at Santo Domingo del Cerro, Antigua Guatemala. The conference brought together more than 350 professionals, technicians, marketers, producers, and exporters among which experts from the United States, the Netherlands, and Denmark.
The congress meeting area
Admissibility for the floriculture sector in Guatemala
The Congress coincided with the news of admissibility for the floriculture sector in Guatemala. "We have been working for a few years with the authorities of MINEX (Ministry of International relations) and MAGA (Ministry of Agriculture) on the process of gaining admissibility in markets in Latin America and Asia. The news of new admissibility for the sector is a national achievement, thanks to the support of the Guatemalan Embassy in Chile, MINEX, MAGA, as well as producers, and businesspeople from the sector. I have no doubt that soon other ongoing processes will come through, and Guatemala will be adorning countries like Ecuador, Peru, Mexico, and even Japan," said Lorena Luna, President of the Board of Directors of the Commission of Ornamental Plants, Foliage, and Flowers of AGEXPORT.
Luna indicated that they are working on gaining export admissibility for varieties such as petunias, carnations, and mini callas to key markets. Among the processes being carried out in collaboration with national authorities are the export of kalanchoes to Peru and Bolivia and gypsophila to Ecuador. She points out that the sector has grown between 8% and 12% in recent years. In 2023, they closed with sales of over USD 116 million. These exports came from an estimated 3,500 hectares of production across the country, heading to the United States (USD 72 million), the Netherlands (USD 41 million), El Salvador (USD 10 million), Honduras (USD 5 million), Germany (USD 4 million), Canada (USD 3 million), and others like Japan and Israel.
"Guatemala has a promising ornamental plant, foliage, and flowers sector with diverse opportunities for growth. By June of this year, more than USD 53 million had already been exported, which is an 11% increase compared to the same period in 2023. Opening new markets means seeking new clients, positioning, training, and updating, and that is why this Congress is important. Namely, in one place, producers, students, technicians, professionals, exporters, and suppliers can educate themselves, do business, learn how to improve the exportable offer, and be more competitive," said Andrés Sepe, President of the Organizing Committee of the III Congress of Ornamental Plants, Foliage, and Flowers.
Sepe continued by noting that partnerships with commercial partners - both nationally and internationally - can open new market opportunities, improve distribution, and expand the presence of Guatemalan flowers and ornamentals. Currently, markets buy products from Guatemala such as leather leaf, yucca (izote), beaucarnea (pony tail), dracaena, roses, chamaedorea, asparagus sp, tillandsias, sansevieria, and croton.
A business perspective on sustainability in agriculture
The third Congress of Ornamental Plants, Foliage, and Flowers is a platform that seeks to strengthen the sector's competitiveness and explore new business opportunities. During the event there were seven keynote lectures, an exhibition floor with more than 30 booths, three networking activities, and five field trips to exchange experiences and knowledge.
All the speakers
"One of the keynote lectures was about sustainability in agriculture. It was an important moment for all of us to understand the opportunities and challenges of the agricultural sector in a global context. Sustainability is both an environmental responsibility and a business strategy that can open new markets and strengthen the competitiveness of exports," said Sepe. Other keynote lectures covered topics such as water management, trade, market and consumer trends, plant health, as well as nutrient and light management.
Clockwise: Brigitte Obrock of Ageport (Guatemala), Bisser Georgiev of LiveTrends Design Group (USA), Brian Borup of GASA Group (Denmark), and Paul Fisher of University of Florida (USA)
For more information:
Agexport Guatemala
Brigitte Obrock
(+502) 2422-3423
[email protected]
www.export.com