Brazilian exports of flowers and ornamental plants yielded US$ 23.5 million last year, which meant an increase of 20.96% in relation to 2003.
The surplus in the sector’s trade balance reached historical records of US$ 17.58 million, according to information from the Brazilian Institute of Floriculture (Ibraflor).
External sales for seedlings of ornamental plants presented the highest values, with exports of US$ 11.38 million, which represents 48.46% of the total value exported by national floriculture.
The main destinations for the seedlings were Holland, with 45.44% of the total, Italy, United States and Japan. As well as these, another 17 countries imported the Brazilian seedlings, amongst them the United Arab Emirates.
The second segment that most exported was that of bulbs, tubercles and rhizomes, which yielded US$ 5.42 million last year with foreign trade, an increase of 16.86% over 2003.
In this case, Holland is also the main buyer, with 86.35%, followed by the United States, Mexico, Chile, Uruguay and Venezuela.
Amongst the other segments of the sector are the fresh cut flowers, with external sales valued at US$ 4.87 million, dry foliage, orchids seedlings and fresh foliage and branches.
The greatest part of the plants and flowers exported originated in the state of São Paulo, in the Southeast of Brazil.
ANBA ”“ Brazil-Arab News Agency