The International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) will feature insights into Korean floriculture at its Horticultural Industry Conference on 19 September during the AIPH 75th Annual Congress in Suncheon, Republic of Korea.
With the support of Headline Sponsor Biblo, the Congress will take place from 17-21 September alongside the 2023 Suncheonman International Garden Expo.
AIPH has been supporting ornamental horticulture since 1948 and has seen significant changes in the industry over the years. The comprehensive programme for the 75th AIPH Annual Congress reflects AIPH’s commitment to the industry. Attendees can learn, connect, and find inspiration from passionate individuals driving the industry forward.
The Horticultural Industry Conference, sponsored by Royal FloraHolland and MPS, will analyse the industry’s state and growth in the Republic of Korea as the country celebrates 75 years of independence.
In 1948, the Republic of Korea was an agriculture-based nation, which has since transformed into a technologically advanced nation with a GDP of €1.65 trillion in 2019, making it the 12th largest economy globally.
Growing ornamentals is particularly challenging due to mountainous areas (only 14.6 per cent of Republic of Korea’s land is fit for agriculture) and extreme climatic conditions, such as typhoons following monsoons in the hot summer. Recent statistics reported in FloraCulture International - Signs of thaw for South Korea’s flower industry - point to 4,936 hectares dedicated to ornamental horticulture. The figures published in 2021 reported €442 million worth of ornamental horticulture in 2017, with cut flowers accounting for €143 million and grown on 1,334 hectares. Potted plants, trees, and shrubs were grown on 3,622 hectares, and the total ornamental acreage decreased by about 20% to 5,000 hectares in 2017.
AIPH member Korea Florist Association (KFA) is the most influential voice in ornamental horticulture in the Republic of Korea. KFA’s mission is to help members manage a profitable business and remove growth barriers. KFA played a pivotal role in promoting and revitalising the flower sector, including supporting the government in developing a long-term strategy with investments in infrastructure, logistics, cold chain, export promotion, and increasing the average Korean flower farm business income.
Expert speakers from the Republic of Korea will share knowledge and insights on their country’s current state and growth of the industry, emerging trends, consumer interests, and future potential. They include Dr Park Kihwan from the Korean Rural Economic Institute; Mr Lim Yuktaek, President of KFA and KOFLAS (Korea Federation of Flower-Related Associations); Mr Song Junho, Chief of Agriculture Cooperation Youngho, and a representative from the Embassy of the Netherlands to talk about trading opportunities.
By attending the AIPH Horticultural Industry Conference, participants will also learn more about environmental footprinting and sustainability and will gain valuable insights into emerging processes to help them in their work. For example, Royal FloraHolland will be talking about the new FloriPEFCR standard, which will provide a uniform environmental footprinting method for the sector. MPS aims to make growers' sustainability efforts visible and will be demonstrating its HortiFootprint Calculator, which calculates the C02 footprint based on the FloriPEFCR.
For more information and to register, visit the AIPH Website.
