The French nursery industry is paying more attention to bees and flowering garden plants, labelling of sustainable production and top quality products.
At the Salon du Végétal, the trade show held from 19 to 21 June in Nantes, some French nurseries showed their marketing around bees. Like the growers cooperative Cerdys, who set up the concept ’Bee my guest’ including plants that are good for pollination.
Last week in France it was also national week of the bees. The French trade association Val’hor has set up a special promotional campaign for this. The aim is, as shown at the Salon, to provide 1 billion flowers for bees.
Labelling of French ornamental produce is increasing. At the Salon figures were published about Plante Bleue. This French certification looks like the international MPS certification.
At this moment 205 French companies with hardy nursery stock or floriculture are certified with Plante Bleue. A few years ago there were 157 participants. Now a total of 5,400 hectares has been certified: more than a quarter of the total French ornamental area.
In the French industry another label is growing: Label Rouge. Most of the French consumers recognize this label for superior quality products. It started in food with chicken. Since a few years it’s also available for some ornamental products: dahlia, geranium, garden roses and Christmas trees.
Pictures: Arno Engels
Click here to see more impressions of the Salon 2018 in Nantes.
