European market for bromeliads

In Europe, bromeliads have been cultivated and traded already for a long time. The largest bromeliad nurseries in the world producing cuttings and finished pot plants are located in The Netherlands. Currently, about 30 Dutch companies produce bromeliads. Guzmania is by far the biggest product traded at the Dutch auctions with an annual turnover of about € 16 million. Other important bromeliads are Vriesea, Tillandsia and Aechmea.

At young plant level, the bromeliad market is extremely competitive and is dominated by small number of relatively big breeding companies (Corn. Bak, Deroose Plants, Exoticplant) who compete for market share with a steady stream of new patented varieties. These breeders (or so-called improvers or hybridisers) are working constantly to produce ever more spectacular and hardy varieties for the market. The search for finding new varieties is fuelled by one thing: new stock. Read more…

The European car parts aftermarket still on route

European sales of vehicles dropped dramatically as a result of the economic crisis and the tightening of credit in 2008. General Motors and Chrysler have gone through bankruptcy proceedings and several American suppliers have gone bankrupt as well. So far, Europe has steered clear of the worst damage, perhaps due in part to government stimulus programmes. It is unclear how the market will hold without these.

Sales in the after-market are less directly dependent on vehicle sales but on a function of various variables, like total car park and age. The after-market is expected to continue to grow. Production shifts to low-cost countries and outsourcing will continue to play an important role. Read more…

New logo selected for all EU organic products

The European Commission has officially announced the winner of the EU organic logo competition. Over the past two months, some 130,000 people have voted online to choose the new organic symbol from three finalists. The winning design is by Dusan Milenkovic, a student from Germany, who gained 63 % of the overall vote for his “Euro-leaf” logo. From July 1, 2010, the organic logo of the EU will be obligatory on all pre-packaged organic products that have been produced in any of the EU Member States and meet the necessary standards. It will be optional for imported products. Other private, regional or national logos will be allowed to appear alongside the EU label. The organic farming regulation will be amended in the coming weeks to introduce the new logo into one of the annexes. Read more…

The jewellery market in the EU

There are opportunities in the EU market for suppliers of costume and silver jewellery that is spiritual, personal and affordable. The jewellery market is expected to grow beyond 2010, especially in the Eastern EU countries with a rising number of working women. Creativity, colours, craftmanship and ethical issues will be important reasons in jewellery pieces to wear them longer. Read more…

Kenya Exports to EU Might Face Taxes

The future of Kenya‘s exports to the European Union such as flowers may not be rosy unless the East African Community signs a new trade agreement. The European Union has for the first time indicated that the failure by the East African Community to sign a new trade agreement will lead to introduction of taxes on Kenyan exports to Europe. Read more…

New Agricultural Agreement between Israel and the EU

The European Union and Israel have signed an agricultural agreement under which 80 percent of Israeli exported fresh products are totally exempt from all taxes and levies.

A new agricultural agreement was signed in Brussels between Israel and the European Union, which improves access to both markets. The new agreement, which updates the original agricultural agreement signed in the 1970’s, is the result of lengthy negotiations led by Israel’s Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor. Read more…

Business process outsourcing market in the EU

Outsourcing of business processes is increasingly becoming a global affair. As European companies experience strong competition, lower profit margins and shortage of skilled labour, European SMEs are increasingly open to solutions from developing countries (DCs). This offers great opportunities for DC providers to capture offshore outsourcing contracts. DC companies can meet the need of EU companies to reduce costs, enlarge capacity or enable them to focus on their core business. However, in the selection of BPO providers by EU companies quality of services is just as important as pricing. Read more…

The EU market for certified timber and timber products

The EU market is the largest consumer and importer of timber and timber products in the world. On a country level, however, a different picture exists: global imports are led by the USA; Japan is also a major importer, but its role in the global timber trade is declining; China, on the other hand, becomes an important player in the timber market. The latter mainly imports raw materials and exports finished timber products. In doing so, China takes the lead in the global furniture trade, hereby strongly affecting the market share of traditional low-cost furniture exporters, such as Malaysia and Indonesia.

The EU construction sector is the most important market sector for timber and timber products and uses up to 70% of all timber consumed in the EU, followed by the further-processing industry (most notably the furniture industry). The DIY market segment is of less importance, although its market share in sales of timber and timber products is steadily increasing. Read more…