Chairman of the Izmir Florists’ Chamber, Mesut Tutar, noted that flowers worth USD 50 million were exported from İzmir to the EU countries during the first half of the year.

Pointing out that in order to run against the Netherlands in the world floriculture sector, the Florists’ Chamber was set up, Tutar said: “35 percent of the production was exported in 2000. This figure was 65 percent as of 2005.” Tutar noted that they were pleased to see that flower exports from Turkey are made to such countries as Russia, Germany and Italy. Stressing that flower exports totaled USD 35 million in 2005, Tutar said: “As of the first six-month period of 2006, the exports totaled USD 50 million. We aim to raise this figure to USD 100 million by the end of this year.”

Tutar indicated that if the State supports the commercial growing of hothouse flowers, they would further advance. Tutar added: “We especially wish to attain the standard floriculture.”
EU standard for florists

Tutar stated that they were launching initiatives in order to make the itinerant stands to be organized with the cooperation of the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality and Konak Municipality. Noting that the itinerant florists could not open stands in anywhere they want from now on and they would be selected among the people who are in presentable form and good in public relations, Tutar defended that these people would be the watchmen of the thieves at the same time.

Claiming that a system which does not exist in the world is implemented in Turkey, Tutar said: “The foundations are making artificial flowers and obstructing the incomes of the sector. They greatly damage the sector. The foundations are sending ‘tinplate wreaths’ to the funeral ceremonies. Actually, the flowers which we make for the funerals have a deep meaning. It means that the world goes on and the person is sent to the heaven with flowers. It shows that love and respect continue. It is valid for every part of the world. Our incomes are very low. We are not against donations, but the foundations should not make tinplate wreaths. Millions of people are earning their bread from this sector.