"It takes a steely kind of person to grow and export orchids. Fluctuating foreign exchange rates, tough biosecurity laws and a fickle market that is always chasing the latest floral fad would test the resilience of the most seasoned entrepreneur.
... Val and Robbie Mack have weathered all of the above since taking over a Haruru Falls orchid business nine years ago. In their first year of running Garden Court Orchids, the couple sold 300 boxes of orchid stems from plants grown in shade houses covering an area of about 1800 square-metres. Today, they export about 1500 boxes of stems from more than 6000 cymbidium plants each year mainly to markets in Japan and the United States. ... Orchids are one of the best flowers to grow commercially because they command good prices and keep for up to six weeks once cut... Rising air freight costs and a strong New Zealand dollar... cut into their profits. ... The Macks are looking to local markets to insulate their business against a future that could bring further oil price hikes and carbon taxes. ... The couple have enjoyed growing orchids but are keen to retire and have placed the business on the market." URL : http://www.stuff.co.nz/northland/4643963a22378.html *********************** Regards, VB _______________________________________________ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) [email protected] http://orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids_orchidguide.com
