The flower industry has exploded into growing regions all over the world. So,
there is now a significant need to provide a base level for the industry to
compare products for growers,shippers, sellers and buyers.
A joint committee representing the Association of Floral Importers of Florida (AFIF)
and the Colombian Association of Flower Exporters (Asocolflores) has compiled
minimum guidelines and standards for fresh cut flowers that is easy to use. In
this manual you will find the minimum guidelines and standards for over 40
flowers that are bought and sold. Each flower has 4 to 6 pictures for that flower
variety so everyone can see the cut stage variations.
Most companies will exceed these minimum guidelines and standards that are
outlined in this manual. The characteristics that are presented will give buyers
and sellers a base to compare products between companies instead of just on price
alone. For example, if the minimum guideline and standard weight of a product is
250 grams and a seller tells you that their product is 280 grams and another
seller tells you that theirs is 300 grams, you as the buyer will understand the
difference in the cost for the additional grams. Also, if you receive
product from someone and It does not meet the minimum guidelines and standards
specified in this manual and they sold it to you as meeting or exceeding the
minimum guidelines and standards, you will have something to use as a base for
reference.
Acceptance of these minimums and guidelines for products by the floral industry
companies will result in an increased awareness of the characteristics of the
products that are being bought and sold, and an increased acceptance of products
that exceed the base. Buyers will now have a base level to work with for their
guidelines and standards necessary for their businesses.
This manual is in an easy to use format with a page for each flower type with
the agreed upon minimum guidelines and standards for that particular product.
Characteristics of each product can vary by supplier, variety, and growing
conditions. The information is provided again as abase level for the product.
Adjacent to each flower page is a worksheet for you to help note which importers
exceed your expectations for that product and provide you with a quick reference
as to what characteristics they exceed. This provides you with greater
information for your buying decisions.
This manual is being distributed in September 2009 with over 40 flower minimum
guidelines and standards. The Associations are expecting to add more flower
minimum guidelines and standards to the manual and hope to get other flower
associations to agree to the minimum guidelines and standards as an industry base
and eventually have this manual used as a total flower industry minimum
guidelines and standards manual.
If you have any questions about this manual please contact Christine Boldt at
the AFIF office 305-593-2383, or by email
Christin@afifnet.org.
