By Catherine Riungu
Hortinews Editor
VIJFHUIZEN, THE NETHERLANDS
The 17th edition of the International Floriculture Trade Fair (IFTF) officially launched yesterday, Tuesday, November 3, transforming Expo Greater Amsterdam into the temporary epicentre of the global flower supply chain. Early numbers indicate this year’s installment is on track to set new records, drawing an extensive international crowd to its five massive exhibition halls.
Dick van Raamsdonk, president of organizer HPP Exhibitions, confirmed that the trade show features 290 elite exhibitors originating from over 30 countries. The exhibition floor reflects a significant structural shift in the global market, anchored heavily by a massive influx of overseas growers. Together, major production hubs across Colombia, Ecuador, and Kenya account for over 140 of the primary entries, highlighting a booming demand from international buyers outside the European Union.
A Direct Link to Global Markets For international delegations, the event serves as a critical strategic touchpoint. Representatives from Kenya’s Sian Flowers highlighted the opening-day momentum, emphasizing that the fair provides an unmatched face-to-face opportunity to reinforce long-term partnerships while showcasing domestic innovations in quality and cold-chain logistics.
The sentiment was mirrored across the aisle at the Flowers of Ecuador pavilion. Delegates noted that commercial floriculture has rapidly transitioned into a highly technical discipline. Modern success, they argued on the show floor, relies heavily on how professionals master automation, precise crop management systems, and specialized international transport.
The Ultimate “Candy Shop” for Industry Professionals
The dense arrangement of pavilions, vibrant variety trials, and technical booths drew quick praise from high-profile visitors. Victoria Clemson, Creative & Operations Director of the renowned Daniel Ost Group, described the sheer volume and aesthetic density of the international displays as being “in a candy shop” for any floral professional looking to gauge upcoming design directions and product availability.
Beyond aesthetics, Day 1 was heavily marked by tech breakthroughs. Post-harvest specialist Chrysal used the opening hours to debut its next-generation solutions, Chrysal FreshGuard and Amplify, signaling a sector-wide push to extend the transit shelf-life of delicate cultivars without sacrificing sustainability metrics.
Looking Ahead
The momentum is expected to accelerate through Wednesday and Thursday. Key highlights remaining on the schedule include Thursd’s “The Future of Floral Marketing LIVE” panel session and specialized network meetings curated by the Import Promotion Desk, which pairs European buyers with 17 verified growers from emerging markets in South America and Africa.
