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MPS Group celebrates 30th anniversary: A milestone in sustainability and innovation.

Published: March 17, 2025

This year, MPS Group celebrates its 30th anniversary, reaching a significant milestone in the sustainability and innovation sector. Over the past three decades, MPS has developed into a leading organisation in the field of sustainability and certification within the horticultural sector. The emphasis on environmental responsibility and social sustainability has enabled MPS to become a reliable partner for growers and businesses worldwide.

Thirty years of sustainable progress

Since its foundation in 1995, MPS has been committed to making the horticultural sector more sustainable through data-driven solutions. By encouraging growers to work transparently and sustainably, MPS has contributed to reducing the environmental footprint of the industry. The organisation has continuously innovated its certification and record-keeping systems, adapting to new technological developments and increasing market demands. Over the years, MPS has expanded its services to more than fifty countries, allowing growers worldwide to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability.

MPS’s data-driven approach, particularly through the MPS-ABC record-keeping environment, has helped companies monitor and reduce their environmental impact. The integration of various sustainability indicators has made it possible to track progress in areas such as usage of water and crop protection agents. The insights gained from these data analyses have led to targeted sustainability improvements in horticulture.

MPS Group at HortiFlora 2025

Arthij van der Veer, Area Manager for the Americas and Africa, and Remco Landsmeer, who is ultimately responsible for the MPS-ECAS audit organisation, will be present at HortiFlora 2025. The participation of MPS and MPS-ECAS in HortiFlora 2025, which will take place in Addis Ababa from 01 to 03 April 2025, offers an important opportunity to share expertise. During this international trade fair, Arthij and Remco will welcome visitors and provide valuable insights into the future of horticulture. The fair not only functions as a platform for networking and knowledge exchange, but also as an opportunity to present the latest developments and innovations in the sector.

The choice of Ethiopia as the location for HortiFlora is relevant, as the country has positioned itself as an important centre for floriculture. The favorable climatic conditions and the investments in infrastructure make it attractive for growers who focus on the export of flowers and plants. This also offers MPS the opportunity to share its vision and expertise with a growing number of interested parties.

Looking towards the future

With the 30th anniversary as a backdrop, MPS Group looks confidently to the future, where new opportunities and further growth are pursued. The past decades have shown that sustainability and innovation go hand in hand, and MPS is determined to continue to play a pioneering role in the horticultural sector.

In its anniversary year, MPS reaffirms its mission to support horticultural businesses in their sustainability journey. By continuously evolving its data-driven approach and working closely with the industry, MPS is set to drive further positive change. The organisation remains committed to its vision of a more transparent, responsible, and environmentally friendly horticultural sector.

MPS’s anniversary year marks an important step towards a sustainable future for horticulture, and the organisation is looking forward to continuing this journey together with the sector.

Source: MPS.

 

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HortiFlora 2025: “The biggest and most beautiful edition yet”

Published: March 13, 2025

What began as a small-scale trade fair has evolved into a prominent event for buyers seeking Ethiopia’s range of flowers, as well as vegetables and fruits. With a record number of exhibitors, a diverse product selection, and a growing number of international visitor registrations, the trade fair in Addis Ababa is gearing up for its 2025 edition, set to take place from April 1-3 at the Millennium Hall, just minutes from the airport.

Over the past 20 years, the event has grown significantly, and with more and more growers selling their products directly, interest from the Middle East and Far East continues to rise. “It’s a true grower-buyer fair, bringing together the industry’s biggest and most established growers. The ability to meet so many suppliers in one place is invaluable, saving buyers both time and money,” says Dick van Raamsdonk of HPP Exhibitions, the event organizer, in collaboration with the Ethiopian Horticulture Producers Exporters Association (EHPEA).

20 years of development and growth
Van Raamsdonk is proud of the progress made over the past two decades and how the trade fair has evolved, overcoming challenges such as event cancellations due to external factors. “The fair has grown alongside the industry itself, adapting to market demands and establishing itself as the premier platform connecting international buyers with Ethiopia’s top growers.”

Expanding beyond flowers to vegetables and fruits
This year, in addition to flowers, HortiFlora is allocating more space for vegetables and fruits, including strawberries, beans, and other key crops. “As these products fall under EHPEA’s umbrella, their inclusion creates new business opportunities for traders across various agricultural sectors.”

Visitors from the Middle East, Far East, and Europe
“The short travel distance makes it easy for buyers to connect directly with growers. Traditionally, Ethiopian flowers were sold through auctions, but direct sales are becoming more common, a trend that has been developing for years”, says Van Raamsdonk. He also expects a significant number of European buyers. “Every year, many Europeans register at the last minute but ultimately attend in large numbers.”

The biggest and most beautiful edition yet
With 140 exhibitors, HortiFlora 2025 is the largest edition to date. “I also believe it will be the most stunning, as this year’s flower displays are truly impressive, and exhibitors are dedicating significant attention to their stands. Additionally, the presence of all farm owners makes this edition more relevant than ever.”

Source: FloralDaily

 

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Ethiopia’s HortiFlora 2025 Is Coming Up, Here’s Why You Should Plan to Attend It

Published: February 27, 2025

The upcoming premier international horticulture and floriculture trade fair takes place from Tuesday, April 1, to Thursday, April 3, 2025.

The HortiFlora 2025, Ethiopia’s premier international horticulture and floriculture trade fair, is set to raise the flower industry’s standards to new heights when it makes a return to Addis Ababa’s Millennium Hall from Tuesday, April 1, to Thursday, April 3, 2025. Organized by HPP Exhibitions, the globally renowned trade fair specialist with decades of expertise in bridging the flower and horticultural markets, this year’s event promises an unmatched convergence of different players in the horticulture and flower industries.

A Gateway to Ethiopia’s Horticultural and Floriculture Scene
Since its inception, the HortiFlora has been a key event in Ethiopia’s horticulture sector’s calendar; a country which today ranks among the world’s top five cut flower exporters. The previous event, held in 2023, according to HPP Exhibitions, concluded with strong outcomes for exhibitors and attendees, marking a significant return after a four-year hiatus. Then, nearly one hundred companies participated, drawing a robust turnout of regional and international participants eager to discover Ethiopia’s floral and horticultural offerings for export. This year’s event is expected to be even bigger and better.

“The 2025 Hortiflora is anticipated to surpass 2023’s event, with even more exhibitors and larger booths showcasing a broader array of flowers and fresh produce. Additionally, with the Ethiopian Birr now a free-floating currency, Ethiopian exports have gained a competitive edge, enhancing the country’s appeal as a business destination. This currency shift is expected to draw even more international buyers eager to source high-quality fresh flowers and produce from Ethiopia.” — HPP Exhibitions.

The 2025 edition, hosted in collaboration with the Ethiopian Horticulture Producers Exporters Association (EHPEA) and sponsored by Zemen Bank & Ethiopian Cargo and Logistics Services, builds on two decades of the industry’s growth which has been marked by a consistent expansion and development of flower farming infrastructure, as well as a surge in international investment.

The fast growth of the flower industry in the country is largely thanks to its ideal climate, affordable labor, and strategic logistics, reflected in Ethiopia’s ascendancy as a key global hub when it comes to flower growing and export. HortiFlora, therefore, serves to put all these qualities on display drawing the global eye to this Eastern African country.

What You Can Expect at the HortiFlora 2025
Spanning three days, the expo which will host more than 100 exhibitors—a mix of Ethiopian and international growers, suppliers, and service and input providers—will showcase everything from a wide range of flowers and fresh produce. Attendees can expect to get a feel of flowers, vegetables, fruits, and herbs showcased in all their glory.

HortiFlora 2025, also, offers a rare image of the emerging trends shaping and reshaping the flower and horticulture industries. Its strategic timing and location—a stone’s throw from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport—, likewise, make it attractive for global players in the industry, as it gives them a convenient first-hand experience of Ethiopia’s horticulture and flower industries, whose exports keep on growing. It, essentially, connects buyers and other investors directly with suppliers and other industry players in this fast-growing hub.

Attending the fair, one can, therefore, expect to engage and network with participants from across the African region as well as countries like the Netherlands, Germany, Russia, Australia, and the Middle East. There will also be sourcing and procurement teams from major European flower retail supply chains and markets.

At the event, there will, also, be structured networking sessions, buyer-seller meetups, and, maybe a farm tour, if you can, which will enhance one’s engagement with Ethiopia’s growers. One will, for instance, have the opportunity to rub shoulders with key industry individuals, breeders, growers, suppliers, and policymakers during organized networking meetings, stall visits, one-on-one sessions, as well as other engagement activities, which presents a platform for partnerships that could redefine the flower business course. 

This edition’s participants include homegrown big-shots like Abyssinia Flowers, Afriflower, Agriflora PLC, AQ Roses, Asella Flowers Farm, Azrom, Braam Flowers, ET-Highland Flora, Hansa Flowers, Ethio Vegfru Group, Florensis Abyssinia Farm, Sher Ethiopia, Galica Flowers, Sunrise Flowers, Klaver Flowers, Maranque Plants, Marginpar Ethiopia, Minaye Flowers, Roshanara Roses, Tana Flora, Syngenta East Africa, Ziway Roses, ZK Flower, and Zuqualla Horti, among others. International players including De Ruiter Innovations, Royal FloraHolland, Selecta Cut Flowers, MPS, Herburg Roses, and several others from across the floriculture and horticultural industries and value chain will, likewise, be present.

Participating in the HortiFlora 2025 Event

To take part in the event, register early through the HPP Exhibition’s official website to secure your spot among thousands of others who will be taking part because you just have to be there to fully experience all that the flower and horticulture industries in this country, as well as elsewhere across the world, has to offer. So, mark your calendar and plan to attend!

_{Featured and header image by Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association – EHPEA.}

Source: Thursd.

 

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HortiFlora 2025 announced!

Published: October 30, 2024

The next edition of Ethiopia’s premier international horticulture and floriculture trade fair has been announced and is set to take place from Tuesday, April 1, to Thursday, April 3, 2025.

The previous event, held in 2023, concluded with strong outcomes for both exhibitors and attendees, marking a significant return after a four-year hiatus. Nearly 100 companies participated, drawing a robust turnout of international buyers eager to explore Ethiopia’s offerings for export.

The 2025 Hortiflora Expo is anticipated to surpass 2023’s event, with even more exhibitors and larger booths showcasing a broader array of flowers and fresh produce.

Additionally, with the Ethiopian Birr now a free-floating currency, Ethiopian exports have gained a competitive edge, enhancing the country’s appeal as a business destination. This currency shift is expected to draw even more international buyers next April, eager to source high-quality fresh flowers and produce from Ethiopia.

 

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HortiFlora 2023

Published: July 1, 2023

Addis Ababa, March 22, 2023. The international horticulture and floriculture trade fair Hortiflora 2023 ended well with very satisfactory results, according to exhibitors and visitors. The ambiance was great and the show really served its purpose of promoting exports of Ethiopian grown flowers, vegetables and fruits. Being held 4 years after the last edition took place due to Corona, there were good vibes going around the Hall during the event with many talks and chats in the stands and aisles. The number of exhibiting companies was in the end much higher than expected.

Almost 100 companies from Ethiopia and abroad participated with a stand. Also International attendance was good with a lot of international buyers visiting the show during all 3 show days. The Ethiopian Horticulture Producers Exporters Association EHPEA expressed their satisfaction and look back to a very successful come back of HortiFlora, the show case of their industry.

As part of the trade fair prices were awarded to the Best Designed Stands. The following 4 companies came out as winners:

• Tinaw Business Share Company (Platinum)
• Minaye Flowers (Gold)
• ATI – The Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Institute (Silver)
• Exome Holdings (Bronze)

 

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Beware of attendee list scams

Published: June 30, 2023

There are ‘unofficial’ companies aggressively pursuing attendees/exhibitors to buy/order the attendee lists of HortiFlora Expo Ethiopia. Unfortunately, some past attendees/exhibitors have fallen prey to these companies and their offers. The organizer of HortiFlora Expo Ethiopia, HPP Exhibitions, does NOT release visitor contact details to anybody. Do not reply to these requests as these companies simply do not have the attendee list and try to scam you.

 

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Beware of possible hotel fraud

Published: June 30, 2023

There are ‘unofficial’ companies aggressively pursuing attendees/exhibitors to book discounted hotel rooms through their company. Unfortunately, some past attendees/exhibitors have fallen prey to these companies and have either:

• Been relocated with little or no warning
• Lost their significant deposits
• Not had the guest rooms they thought they had booked
• Not had the hotel they thought they had booked
• etc.

This has caused great hardship to these companies and individuals. Reservations made through an agency will be at your own risk. We advise you to book directly with hotels and not through a third party.

Such companies should be avoided, as there are no agencies affiliated to HPP Exhibitions, other than those mentioned on our website!

 

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