Bring on the new import season! After a few enjoyable weeks of holiday in Europe, I for one am ready to consign summer to the archives. Of course, every start to a new season comes with expectations, but this time perhaps especially so: quite a lot is going on in Colombia and Ecuador. Are we on the eve of a seismic shift?
Let’s run through the key factors. Traditionally, Colombia was the more competitive of the two countries, boasting lower production costs, more favourable airfreight rates and completely duty-free flower exports worldwide. By contrast, Ecuadorian roses, among other products, are subject to import duties of 6.8% in the US and 10.5% in Canada.
While Colombia excelled in scale and volume, supplying well over 60% of the US flower market, Ecuador for many years positioned itself in a higher-end niche. Its higher-altitude growing areas, larger buds, heavier stems and a more exclusive assortment made the country popular with the specialist trade and more remote markets.
