An international group of flower industry representatives visited New Covent Garden Flower Market (NCGM) this morning, as the first stop on a whistle-stop tour of the UK during the Union Fleurs Annual General Meeting.

Union Fleurs, the International Flower Trade Association, has put together an all-encompassing programme for their annual meeting in London; and began its fast-paced two days of activities by bringing delegates from Colombia, Denmark, the Netherlands, Ecuador, France, Morocco, Italy, Austria, the UK, Kenya, Belgium and Uganda to the UK's primary wholesale flower and plant market.

Wanda Goldwag OBE, Chair of Covent Garden Market Authority, the landlord and management company of NCGM, welcomed the group and emphasised the integral role that the south London wholesale market plays in the UK supply chain. "We are always pleased to welcome industry colleagues from around the world to the market," said Wanda. "It can be difficult at a distance to realise exactly what our wholesalers do and the huge value they provide the industry. But without fail, when we have the opportunity to introduce our people, their incredible passion and knowledge, and of course the premium quality products that they sell, we see that lightbulb moment when it all becomes clear.

"This market is still vitally important to the industry and as a huge consumer market for flowers, the UK remains a key export market for growers around the world. I wish Union Fleurs well with their AGM and look forward to welcoming its members again at some point in the future, when our redevelopment programme is completed and we will have both the oldest and best-known flower market brand, and the newest wholesale market in this country."

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John Hardcastle of Bloomfields of London and Lara Richens of Green & Bloom (below) both spoke to the group about the market and their businesses, the opportunities and challenges the market faces and some of the common issues affecting the global industry. Pictured with John above is Alejandro Martinez, Head of Ecuadorian flower export promotion body Expoflores, which represents more than 400 growers across Ecuador. He's holding Ecuadorian one of several lines of cut flowers imported by Bloomfields and said: “I was very impressed with what I’ve seen today at New Covent Garden. It’s great to see that our wonderful Ecuadorian flowers are being sold in good volumes and popular with florists here in the UK.”  

Set up to represent, promote and defend the interests of the international floricultural trade, Union Fleurs aims to enthuse, inform and engage all parts of the industry in advocating for common benefits along the supply chain. After meeting wholesalers at the country’s oldest and leading wholesale market for flowers, plants and foliage, the group will also visit Savins and Flamingo Flowers, before an afternoon round table discussion attended by representatives from DEFRA, Horticultural Trade Association (HTA), Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC) and VGB – the Dutch wholesaler association.

The discussion will centre around big ticket issues, including trade frictions resulting from UK phytosanitary import rules, the expected benefits of the upcoming EU-UK SPS agreement and the need for faster easements for a supply chain facing many challenges.

Friday will end with a visit to the Mayfair branch of Neill Strain Floral, and on Saturday 13^th, after the formal AGM proceedings, the Plenary sessions will take an in-depth look at the UK market with a keynote speech ‘SWOTS happening in the UK’, followed by round table exchanges on the opportunities and sales challenges facing the global market and how collaboration, shared learning and positive communication on the power of flowers and plants can help.

To round off the diverse programme, delegates will visit the historic Strawberry Hill House to attend a private viewing of its 2025 Flower Festival, a showcase of totally British grown and sustainability presented flowers and floristry.

Commenting on the programme Sylvie Mamias, Union Fleurs Secretary General said: “It’s a busy programme but the UK is one of the most important and interesting markets in the world and it’s important we get an overview of how it works to learn from each other.

“Equally we know that Brexit has created challenges for the supply of flowers and plants to the UK market. That’s why we have been working so hard behind the scenes with both the EU and UK Governments and our colleagues at HTA, FPC and VGB to find a way to make things better. So it is important we discuss those elements as well.”

More information on Union Fleurs is available at: www.unionfleurs.org