Colombia seeking to be World’s number one flower exporter

During the recently held Proflora 2015 expo in Bogota Colombia, the country’s Agriculture Minister Aurelio Iragorri stated that with Colombia’s position as second largest exporter of flowers in the world, there was sustained efforts to further build the industry to be the global leader.

Colombia comes second after the Netherlands, with flower exports worth $ 1,473 million to various destinations around the world in 2014. Foliage exports stood at $ 1,473 million in the same year. As of August 2015, Colombia has recorded an impressive $ 930 million from flower exports and $ 6 million in foliage exports.

Iragorri reiterated its determination to work in an articulated manner with the flower industry, which generates over 130 thousand formal rural jobs in 60 Colombian municipalities.

He said the United States during the past 10 years had been the main destination for Colombian flowers, the country exported 85% of its production; Today, that percentage with the development of new markets representing 75% and 25% reaches 89 countries.

Iragorri also noted the Korean market to be a very promising one and mentioned that the flower industry was strategizing to venture into other markets such as Australia, China, Czech Republic, Slovakia and India among others. “These are markets that have been opened and which are among the new destinations of our national flower ," said Iragorri.

Also speaking during the same event, Asocolflores President, Augusto Solano said, "Thanks to the agreement to promote the commercialization and sustainability with MINAGRICULTURA, we have managed to increase product consumption abroad, position the Colombian flower and participate in international events giving greater visibility Colombian quality product. "