Iván León, manager of ZV Exportaciones, noted that the situation in the Russian market has been complicated over the last year's end due to the economic crisis in that country. For that reason, his company has redirected the destination of its rose production, which amounted to 80% to Russia in the past. Currently, the company exports only 55% of its production to that market.

In spite of this strategy, ZV Exportaciones has felt the effect of the Russian demand reduction with a price drop of around 30% and a volume drop of 20%, according to León.

Gonzalo Luzuriaga, manager of the companies Bella Rosa and Rose Connection, explained that the losses caused by the Russian crisis were perceived as far back as November last year, when the ruble fell up to 80%, significantly reducing demand and moved Russian consumers to start buying cheaper varieties from Kenya, Ethiopia and the southern part of the country.

The demand for Ecuadorian roses also shifted to shorter, and therefore cheaper, stems. In the case of the exports of Bella Rosa and Rose Connection, there was a price loss of 20% compared to 2014.

Source: El Universo/Hortibiz, translated by Daltry Gárate for Hortibiz