Antigua Guatemala Dresses in Flowers with the II Congress of Ornamental Plants that Promotes the Floral Industry

2023-08-31 22:40:34

Antigua Guatemala becomes the epicenter of the II Congress of Ornamental Plants, Foliages and Flowers, an event that brings together industry leaders to explore new frontiers in the world of flora. The congress, held in Santo Domingo del Cerro, is the result of collaboration between the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food (MAGA) and the Guatemalan Association of Exporters (Agexport).

Perspective Writing

José Cabarrús, Secretary of the Agexport Ornamental Plants Commission, enthusiastically shared: “We are proud of the country’s ornamental industry, which has maintained a constant growth of 8% to 12%.” With approximately 3,500 hectares of high-quality production, Guatemala has established its presence in the global market for ornamental plants.

From August 31 to September 1, this second edition of the congress is held, with the purpose of uniting the value chain of the ornamental industry and strengthening good practices to stand out in various international markets. In this event, it seeks to consolidate relationships and open 12 admissibility processes in key markets such as the United States, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador and Mexico.

The congress exhibits a wide range of ornamental plants and flowers, from begonias to cacti and violets. In Guatemala, more than 500 species and more than 3,000 varieties of ornamental plants and flowers are cultivated. With 31 stands of input and service providers, and approximately 350 participants, the event promises to be a showcase of innovation and knowledge.

During these two days, attendees will enjoy conferences and informative workshops given by international experts from the Netherlands, the United States and Colombia. Issues such as the global situation and its implications for the industry, logistics, diversification and climate change will be at the center of the discussion.

Agexport proudly records Guatemalan exports of ornamental plants, which adorn nations such as the United States, the Netherlands, El Salvador, Canada, Honduras, Japan, Italy, Costa Rica, the United Arab Emirates, and Colombia. Only in the first half of 2023, these exports represented an income of 66 million dollars for the country.

This congress promises to mark a milestone in the world of horticulture and establish Guatemala as an important player in the global ornamental plant industry.