Dutch Flower Group is a unique family company that specializes in the international trade of flowers and plants. With 30 individual companies, we supply all distribution channels, importing wholesalers (who supply florists) and the large-scale retail sector (including supermarket chains, DIY stores and garden centers).
Together with our marketing companies in Europe and the USA we are committed to work towards a better world. We have created 4 drivers within our CSR policy: Sustainable Floral Chain, Sustainable World, Sustainable Partnerships and Sustainable Employees. In 2018 we have started the acceleration initiative to speed up the sustainability process within the chain. We have committed ourselves to a shared ambition:
90% sustainable sourcing in 2020!
Floriculture Sustainability Initiative (FSI)
Dutch Flower Group is founding father of FSI. The Floriculture Sustainability Initiative is a market-driven initiative that brings together members of the international floriculture supply chain. FSI members are collaborating to improve practices and drive positive change towards sustainable production and trade of flowers and plants.
All founding members share the goal of finding more sustainable solutions for growers, for the environment, and for the future of the sector, and therefore set themselves the ambition to have 90% flowers and plants responsibly produced and traded by 2020.
Why a sustainable production and trade?
- We all want to leave a better world for future generations, don’t we? Together we can boost the image of the floricultural sector.
- The demand from society, and especially from European consumers, for fair, reliable and sustainable products is growing.
- Sustainability and transparency throughout the entire chain is essential to continue to trade responsible flowers and plants. Sharing knowledge and cooperation within the chain is extremely important.
- Retailers, including the big international supermarkets, DIY stores and garden centres and e-commerce companies, have increasing demands in terms of sustainability.
How do you ensure sustainable production?
- Certification is an important part of the process to contribute to our shared vision of sustainability and keep up with the market developments.
- Growers’ certification must fit within the criteria set by the FSI – the basket of standards – in order to comply to sustainably sourced and achieve our ambition of 90% by 2020, together.
What steps can you take?
Obtain more information from a certified body, like Kenya Flower Council.
Sustainable production? Use the FSI basket of standards
The great variety of standards and certifications in the floriculture sector contribute to higher levels of sustainability, but can also create confusion, transparency issues, lead to duplication of certification, and increase costs within the chain. Floriculture standards in the FSI Basket are successfully benchmarked against international basic requirements and legislation. The FSI Basket is also used as verified and independent reference for responsible sourcing:
Local partnerships Dutch Flower Group works together with local partners in Kenya to create and develop the stand on the IFTEX. All flowers and other decoration will be sourced locally. Fresh from Source, DFG Africa and RosaLink will be your hosts during this event. Please join them at the IFTEX – stand D2.12. For more information: DFG Africa – Mr. Ronald de Vos e-mail: ronald.de.vos@dfgafrica.com