Flower exports fall to its lowest level in four years

Ecuadornews:

In 2016 flowers export revenues totaled $ 802 million, the lowest in the last four years. In 2013, revenues totaled $ 830 million; In 2014, $ 918 million and in 2015, $ 820 million.

The reality of the sector was exposed by the Ministry of Agriculture, within the framework of the dialogue roundtables, that Friday closed the second week of work analyzing the problems of this sector.

During the working sessions it was explained that the downturn is not only partly due to an international fall in prices, but also to the competitiveness the sector has lost due to high internal production costs and the lack of trade agreements with countries such as the United States, Canada, and Russia, which could facilitate the entry of the Ecuadorian product into these commercial niches.

Hence, the requests of the Federation of Flower Exporters (Expoflores) focused on the signing of more trade agreements. Last year, 44% of exports went to the US, 21% to Europe, 17% to Russia, 13% to Canada and the rest to other countries on the globe.

They also see the need to increase connectivity and competitiveness through the revision of the regulations to air operators and the reactivation of mechanisms to promote commercial sales abroad, such as the Drawback system. (I)

Source: http://www.expreso.ec/economia/flores-exportaciones-comercio-agricultura-YD1621166