Producers’ import replacement goal

ENHANCED branding and labelling could help Irish flower and plant producers replace imported produce which currently makes up a third of the Irish horticulture market, according to Shane McEntee, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Mr McEntee said that the Irish retail market for plant and flower sales is estimated to be worth in the region of €235 million per annum.

He told horticulturists at the first Garden Landscape Amenity Showcase (GLAS) at the City West Exhibition Centre that this import replacement goal was an achievable target, citing Bord Bia’s recently-published strategy for the horticulture amenity sector.

Mr McEntee said: “If this target is to be achieved the industry must come together to develop and promote a brand and labelling system that would clearly identify Irish-grown plants from those that are imported.”

The new national trade- only horticultural and lifestyle event GLAS has evolved from the Kildare Growers’ Show that was held on an annual basis for the last 20 years.

Mr McEntee said: “GLAS is a good example of what can be achieved by a group of people within an industry coming together with a common purpose.”

A key element of the show was Bord Bia’s ‘Marketplace’ which gave exhibitors a series of pre-organised face-to-face meetings with key potential customers from Ireland and abroad.

The Irish horticulture amenity sector has been confronted by many challenges in recent years through a combination of the economic downturn and adverse weather conditions.

However, many producers have realigned their production to reflect their changed circumstances and sales in 2011 have been strong, especially for those supplying garden plants.

Mr McEntee added: “While the horticulture amenity sector has experienced a number of difficult years it has great potential to develop if growers come together to exploit the opportunities that exist to reduce input costs and promote co-ordinated marketing of plants.”