Greece makes its debut at 2014 IPM Essen

26 ornamental plant growers will present their products and services on the Greek cooperative booth at the forthcoming IPM Essen show (January 28-31, 2014). They are members of the Hellenic Plant Material Exporters Association (HEPMEA), which represents nursery stock growers across the country.

Perfectly in line with the tagline of HEPMEA’S newly launched campaign ‘In Greece you can find everything’ the Greece pavilion at IPM will offer a wide range of nursery stock products such as Olea, Buxus, Rosa, Protea, Salvia, Agave, Gardenia, Laurus, Curpressus, Cedrus, Myrtus, Oppuntia, Nerium oleander and Phoenix.

Poised as being the ideal network to realise export potential for Greek ornamentals, HEPMEA has the ambition to create stronger bonds between Greek plant producers/exporters and the international market place. It is dedicated to supporting its 26 member by providing forums and networking opportunities such as participation in the round table discussion which was held during the summer meeting of the European Nursery Stock Association (ENA).

Currently, HEPMEA members explore new export markets such as Iran, Turkey, Ukraine, Russia, the Netherlands, Italy and Qatar.

The vulnerable and very Cerastium theophrasti (Olympian plant) plant, which only thrives at high altitude and under difficult conditions, is HEPMEA’s new logo. The Hellenic Garden team, the group of industry professionals that built the Greek garden at the 2012 Floriade, has been appointed as the association’s promotion team and Nikos Thymakis as the expert consultant.

HEPMEA’S members cover a wide range of crop species including trees, shrubs, aromatic plants, young plants, palm trees, cut flowers and hardware.

In addition, HEPMEA is also involved in garden design and landscaping. It establishes and maintains links with local and national governments, local authorities, regulators, public bodies and other relevant stakeholders. In line with the European Green Infrastructure programme, HEPMEA focuses on a sustainable ornamental sector and provides its members with a way to lobby the government.

hortibiz.com