FEB-MARCH 2013 ISSUE Final.ai - Hortinews.co.ke

Exhibitors and participants engage in a business interactions during the 2012 IFTEX show.
KFC Associate members
included Bayer Crop Science,
Elgon Kenya, Koppert
Biological, Syngenta, De
Ruiter East Africa, Dipchem
East Africa, FloraHolland,
Schreurs,Hortilink, Kuehne +
Nagel , The Flower Hub Kenya,
ad UFO Supplies.
Do you expect a bigger
IFTEX 2013 If yes, why
Yes, IFTEX will definitely
grow in its second edition this
year. Not only because of many
more Kenyan growers who
want to exhibit this time, but
also last year’s exhibitors who
now want to display in bigger
stands. Furthermore, IFTEX is
bound to become a regional
event, hosting growers from
other African flower producing
countries that are too small on
its own to hold such an event.
And as already mentioned,
I expect IFTEX to become
Africa’s flower grower trade fair
within a few years, becoming
the sourcing market for the
world for any African fresh cut
flowers.
What can you single out as
the most outstanding feature
of IFTEX Nairobi in terms of
exhibitions and visitors
The only event where you
can meet all flower growers
at the same time and place,
together with its buyers.
When you first spoke on
IFTEX Nairobi, you said it
had potential to grow into
the largest flower fair in the
world. What are the other big
events in the world, and why
do you foresee Kenya beating
them in days ahead
The other big cut flowers
trade events are in Ecuador,
Colombia, Germany and
Holland. Kenya will soon join
this list and become a serious
competitor for the number one
position. Compare it if you like
with the European Cup, South
American and the now strong
African Cup.
What kind of feedback did
HPP get from those the fair
targeted last year Is it the
same group that is expected
in 2013 Can you point one
good example of something
that has happened because
of the fair
Feedback was positive
and above expectations. The
most important outcome was
confidence in the future of
this fair. There will be many
new international exhibitors
as well signing up this year.
Furthermore most, if not all,
2012 exhibitors will be present
again this year with, in many
cases, bigger stands. The most
important thing that could
have happened in the fair and
which actually did happen
is the change from doubt to
belief, with flower buyers flying
in to attend the expo.
What is new in 2013
The ‘only’ thing that will
be new is: Everything more &
bigger!!!
HORTICULTURAL NEWS I FEB / MAR 2013 27