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Between September 29 and 30, 86 international buyers and 75 domestic exporters will meet in the business matchmaking forum organized by PROCOLOMBIA as part of the activities to take place at Proflora 2011, the best fresh cut flower show held in America.
This business meeting coincides with the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the creation of this biennial exhibition, organized by the Colombian Association of Flower Exports (Asocolflores) in Corferias. Proflora 2011 expects to have 1,500 visitors from 40 countries and the international participation of 334 companies as exhibitors.
Proflora 2011 will demonstrate why Colombia is the second largest flower exporter in the world and number one in exotic flowers, and provides the means to strengthen commercial ties with other countries.
Nearly 800 business meetings will take place in the Business Matchmaking Forum with buyers who will visit from Czech Republic, Sweden, Poland, Germany, Slovenia, Russia, Japan, Switzerland, Holland, England, Turkey, Panama, Portugal, Spain, Canada, South Korea, France, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Suriname, United States, Chile and Argentina.
Colombian exporters will come from Cundinamarca, Antioquia and the Coffee Triangle.
Additionally, PROCOLOMBIA invited six journalists from magazines and newspapers in England and the United States, with the aim of offering more information about Colombia.
The Business Matchmaking Forum at Proflora 2011 is part of the Support Plan to exporters affected by the ATPDEA, the revaluation and heavy rainfall season. Both buyers and journalists will therefore have the opportunity to visit the exhibition and tour some of the flower crops in the vicinity of Bogota.
The sector in figures
According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism, based on figures from DANE, Colombian flower exports in 2010 totaled US$1,228.8 million, where the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom and Japan are the main destinations.
In the first seven months of 2011, exports reached US$834.9 million, representing US$128.5 million more than the same period in 2010.
PROCOLOMBIA has identified new markets where there are business opportunities in Eastern Europe and in Japan.
Colombia is the second largest exporter of flowers in the world after the Netherlands and is known for its variety of roses, carnations, alstroemerias, chrysanthemums, pom poms, hydrangeas, anthuriums, heliconia, foliage, and others are part of the offering.
Furthermore, the country has the largest variety of exotic and export-type flowers in the world, with about 1,500, outstanding for their quality, size, color and aroma.
As an advantage over other countries, conditions such as lighting, humidity, temperature and soil fertility favor the growth of flowers, therefore allowing year-round supply.
