The news that’s kept us all busy in Brazil the last couple of weeks, was the conviction of former president Lula. There were a number of allegations against him and in one of those cases he has now been sentenced to 12 years in prison by an appeals court. The questions remain whether Lula is actually going to be imprisoned and whether the electoral commission will no longer accept him as a candidate for the national presidential elections that are taking place in October. Unbelievable really, that the latter can still be a question at all.
Another current news item regards the yellow fever epidemic. There are a number of places near Holambra where the virus has caused deaths. The majority of the population doesn’t seem to be vaccinated. Hence the long lines of people waiting to be vaccinated at medical centres every day.
On the 19th of February, the government is voting on the necessary reforms of the social security system. The recovery of our economy will largely depend on this vote. If Brazil wants growth, they’ll have to reform. The pension system has been unaffordable for years.
But at the moment, all attention is on the carnival. A time for the Brazilians to forget about their problems and enjoy the celebrations. Not a good time for plant and flower sales. But luckily, International Women’s Day on the 8th of March isn’t too far away!
The cooperative has had to make some important decisions lately and it was good to see how our members fully supported the Board and the management. The number of members that are positive about the implemented policies, is noticeably increasing. It strengthens the cooperative: members and customers see that everyone’s treated the same and that the cooperative steps in where this is necessary.
A delegation of the Veiling Holambra cooperative visited IPM and during that same week, they also visited some companies and traders in Aalsmeer, Herongen, Ede and Naaldwijk. They wanted to find out more about automation, mechanisation, packaging, containers and logistic developments. It was a worthwhile trip and a good example of how we can learn from each other within the industry.
And Veiling Holambra itself has also reached a level at which it can serve as an example for others. The world is getting smaller and smaller, making it more interesting and easier to work together at an international level.
Our Trade Fair is taking place on the 15th and the 16th of March and we’ll be welcoming a well-known editor from Het Vakblad voor de Bloemisterij/Floribusiness. The upcoming articles will be a good opportunity to learn more about the Brazilian floricultural industry!
André van Kruijssen,
General Manager at Veiling Holambra
