Tropical Flowers, Foliage and Hydrangeas (Colombia)

The CBI’s Country Programme Colombia covers several different sectors. This particular programme is focused on the  flower sector and increasing Colombia’s exports of tropical flowers, foliage and hydrangeas to Europe. With project support, these participating companies are expected to increase their combined exports to Europe by EUR 2 million.

Tropical flowers are a niche product in Europe. They sell for good prices. Colombian growers can sell many of their flower species year round, not just in certain seasons. This makes these suppliers interesting for European buyers.  

Project details

This programme began in 2014 and will end in 2018. In 2014, we selected participants. In 2015, we audited them individually. They received training in market access requirements and we invited the participants to Europe where they visited importers and trade events in the Netherlands and Germany. This helped them to understand the European market better. CBI has also coached each company in writing an Export Marketing Plan. This is based on careful research and analysis of their possibilities. Our sector expert also visits each company individually throughout the programme to follow up on their action plans.

In 2016, we are helping the participants develop  and implement Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) practices. Some flower companies will start participating in flower trade fairs in November 2016.

At the same time, CBI is working closely with project partners  to create a more enabling environment for Colombian Tropical Flowers & Foliage exporters. This includes conducting, publishing and disseminating tailor-made market research in selected European markets for the Colombian flower sector. Have a look at our market intelligence portal for the hydrangea study and the study on the market for tropical flowers in the Middle East.

Project participants and products

A total of 11 flower exporters are taking part in this programme. They offer the following products:

• Tropical flowers: heliconia, musa, (white) ginger, baby pineapple, birds of paradise, callas
• Foliage: lily grass (green and variegated), cordyline, phormios, ruscus, pittosporum, aralia, cocculus, eucaliptus baby blue
• Hydrangeas in different colours

Meet the participants

You can contact CBI to get in touch with these exporters. Another possibility is to meet participants at the trade fairs we will attend with these companies in Europe.

Partners

CBI is working with several Colombian business support organisations in this programme:

• ProColombia, a government export promotion agency
• Asocolflores, Colombia’s flower exporters’ association

These partners helped us draw up criteria for exporters entering our programme. They are also facilitating our activities in Colombia. At trade fairs, the participating companies exhibit in the stand of ProColombia.

Get involved as an importer

Are you a European importer interested in flowers from Colombia? If you are, you can contact CBI to find out more or to meet with potential suppliers who have been trained for export to Europe. In order to make the most out of this programme we are involving European importers directly and actively in our programme.

Get involved in this project