Flourishing flower power

The Middle East market has a huge potential for more floriculture and horticulture development.

The Netherlands is an agriculture powerhouse with a reputation for excellence in the import and export industry. The second-largest exporter of agricultural products, the Netherlands offers efficient distribution around the globe.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality's Department of Industry Trade, Holland traders and distributors work at lighting speed to sort, package and assemble deliveries around the world.

The high demand from the Middle East adds to Holland's flourishing floriculture market.

"With the growing population and prosperity of the UAE, the demand for high quality and specialised products is growing, creating more opportunities for Dutch firms for a wide range of food, beverage and flower products," says Samar Kadri, Agricultural Officer, Dubai Consulate of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Kadri says the Netherlands is confident that by 2007-end its export target for the UAE will be met. Dubai is able to handle this great export load with the proficient skills of the Dubai Flower Centre. Located at Dubai International Airport, the DFC is the Middle East's gateway for perishable goods, with the capacity to manage 180,000 tonnes
annually.

Regional hub

"The UAE, which stands at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa, provides access to more than two billion customers," says Ibrahim Ahli, Marketing Director, Dubai Flower Centre. "As the major trading hub of the region, Dubai opens its doors to the rapidly growing markets in the Middle East. With more than 35 million people and an affluent economy worth an estimated $540 billion (about Dh1,983.53 billion) GDP, the Middle East market represents a huge potential opportunity for floriculture and horticulture development. The DFC will enable flower and perishable products exporters to tap into this growing market by providing a cost-effective, accessible point of import and redistribution for this entire region."

The most prominent sector within Dutch agriculture is horticulture, which includes fruits, flowers, ornamental plants and fresh vegetables.

"The ornamental-plant segment is the most important category within the Dutch agricultural exports with a value of almost eight billion euros (about Dh41 billion) in 2006, followed by meat with almost six billion euros (about Dh30.72 billion) and dairy products with almost 4.5 billion euros (about Dh23 billion)," says Kadri.

"In 2006 Dutch exports of agricultural products and foods increased by more than eight per cent to 54 billion euros (about Dh276 billion). The total agricultural product import from the UAE was valued at 1.4 million euros (about Dh7.2 million). The total value of Dutch agricultural products exported to the UAE was 216 million euros (about Dh1,106 million)," added Kadri.

The future looks promising for agricultural relations between the Netherlands and the UAE. Upcoming developments highlight the positive effect each country has on the other's economy.

"The Netherlands has announced the opening of a Dutch Investment Office in Dubai to promote trade and investment between itself and the GCC region. A base in Dubai will help to sustain bilateral relations between the Netherlands and the UAE as well as promote Dutch products and investment opportunities. It will offer its services free of charge. The announcement comes on the heels of a mutual agreement between the two countries to avoid double taxation. These agreements will certainly be a motivation for companies from both countries to invest," says Kadri.

Holland is leading the way for environment-friendly produced flowers. In 1995, the Dutch government launched the Environmental Programme of the Dutch Ornamental Plant Sector (MPS). The programme requested that growers reduce and monitor their use of energy, fertilisers, water and chemical pesticides. This has developed into a global standard and as a result MPS growers have reduced their pesticide use by 23 per cent and their energy use by 25 per cent.