SOUTH AFRICAN FLOWER EXPORT COUNCIL SAFEC SAFEC

SAFEC South Africa is very rich in natural flora and as such has a very active cut flower industry South Africa is very rich in natural flora and as such has a very active cut flower industry Indigenous and exotic flowers are produced for both local and overseas markets Indigenous and exotic flowers are produced for both local and overseas markets

SAFEC There are a number of associations which are represented by SAFEC There are a number of associations which are represented by SAFEC 1. PPSA – Protea Producers of South Africa 1. PPSA – Protea Producers of South Africa 2. KZN FLOWER GROWERS - Kwazulu Natal Flower Growers Association 2. KZN FLOWER GROWERS - Kwazulu Natal Flower Growers Association 3. SAFGA – South African Flower Growers Association 3. SAFGA – South African Flower Growers Association

SAFEC PROTEAS & FYNBOS PROTEAS & FYNBOS Mainly grown in the Western and Southern Cape coastal regions Mainly grown in the Western and Southern Cape coastal regions In the early days flowers were picked in the veld In the early days flowers were picked in the veld Now most of these flowers are grown commercially and new varieties are bred Now most of these flowers are grown commercially and new varieties are bred Improved quality required for export Improved quality required for export

SAFEC Kwazulu Natal Growers Kwazulu Natal Growers Mainly producing Protea varieties intended for the local market as well as export. Mainly producing Protea varieties intended for the local market as well as export. Location around Pietermaritzburg and Location around Pietermaritzburg and Natal mid-lands Natal mid-lands

SAFEC South African Flower Growers Assoction South African Flower Growers Assoction Growers mainly centred around Jhb but also in Mpumalamga and Limpopo as well as in the Free State Growers mainly centred around Jhb but also in Mpumalamga and Limpopo as well as in the Free State Main products are Roses, Chrysanthemum, Carnation and other seed grown flowers Main products are Roses, Chrysanthemum, Carnation and other seed grown flowers

SAFEC Some prodcution figures: Some prodcution figures: Estimated value of flowers produced in South Africa - R 1 billion Estimated value of flowers produced in South Africa - R 1 billion Estimated Export of flowers to overseas countries Estimated Export of flowers to overseas countries R 415 million R 415 million Main export varieties are Proteas, Fynbos, Roses, Leather Fern, Strelitzias and other horticultural products such as bulbs, trees, shrubs and cuttings. Main export varieties are Proteas, Fynbos, Roses, Leather Fern, Strelitzias and other horticultural products such as bulbs, trees, shrubs and cuttings. The local market for cut flowers is dominated by farmers selling their products at Multiflora, the flower auction in Johannesburg. The local market for cut flowers is dominated by farmers selling their products at Multiflora, the flower auction in Johannesburg. Also direct sales from farmers to wholesalers and florists Also direct sales from farmers to wholesalers and florists

SAFEC Why is flower production important ? Why is flower production important ? 1. It is intensive and requires a lot of labour as compared to other agricultural activities. An average of 10 people per ha 1. It is intensive and requires a lot of labour as compared to other agricultural activities. An average of 10 people per ha It is an ideal product for small scale farmers because of its high yield per area cultivated It is an ideal product for small scale farmers because of its high yield per area cultivated

SAFEC Total estimate – 1000 commercial flower growers in South Africa Total estimate – 1000 commercial flower growers in South Africa Total estimated 200 ha greenhouses under flower production Total estimated 200 ha greenhouses under flower production Total estimated open land flower production ? Total estimated open land flower production ? Total estimated number employed in flower growing ? Total estimated number employed in flower growing ?

SAFEC The future ! The future ! Is there scope for expansion ? Is there scope for expansion ? If yes, what do we require ? If yes, what do we require ? Education and Training! Education and Training! Example Timbali/Amablom Example Timbali/Amablom Land and water resources Land and water resources Financial backing Financial backing

SAFEC Markets Markets Local market is well supplied Local market is well supplied Export market has potential ! Export market has potential ! a. Market research – what to grow ? a. Market research – what to grow ? b. Export quality – production structures b. Export quality – production structures c. Price must be competitive c. Price must be competitive

SEEDLING GROWERS Ornamental Seedlings Seedlings of flowering plants Seedlings of flowering plants Intensive and technical ! Intensive and technical ! Requires high capital input such as Requires high capital input such as Sowing machines, Germination rooms Greenhouses and Shade areas Sowing machines, Germination rooms Greenhouses and Shade areas Product in small containers i.e. Product in small containers i.e. Pots and bags, 6 packs and other types of trays Pots and bags, 6 packs and other types of trays

ORNAMENTAL SEEDLINGS Requires good transport system for delivery to retail outlets Requires good transport system for delivery to retail outlets Prices very competitive Prices very competitive Needs intensive training because of large number of different varieties Needs intensive training because of large number of different varieties No official training centres for ornamental seedling growing in South Africa. No official training centres for ornamental seedling growing in South Africa. Not profitable on a small scale Not profitable on a small scale

SEEDLING GROWERS VEGETABLE SEEDLINGS By far the largest seedling industry By far the largest seedling industry Growers grow large quantities for commercial vegetable growers Growers grow large quantities for commercial vegetable growers Can start on a small scale with less capital requirements Can start on a small scale with less capital requirements Provides labour opportunities Provides labour opportunities Hand sowing, Sowing shed, Shade nets Hand sowing, Sowing shed, Shade nets Fewer varieties – less technical Fewer varieties – less technical

VEGETABLE SEEDLINGS Main varieties Main varieties Cabbage, Lettuce, Tomatoes, Onion Spinach Cabbage, Lettuce, Tomatoes, Onion Spinach Mainly grown in 200 polystyrene trays for commercial farmers Mainly grown in 200 polystyrene trays for commercial farmers Also market for private home gardens in smaller containers – ideal for rural areas Also market for private home gardens in smaller containers – ideal for rural areas Can be profitable on a small scale Can be profitable on a small scale