In Ecuador , roses are one of the top exports and contributor to its saving . This pandemic however has decreased the yield and exportation of roses to countries around the orb . At Virgin Farms Direct , a US flower importer , they interview Esteban Chiriboga , President ofEcoroses , their top come up provider turn up in Machachi , Ecuador . They asked him some questions to get a firsthand perspective of the astounding effect the spot has had on the rose industriousness .
How has the situation concerning the coronavirus affected your business?We first begin live the wallop of the coronavirus from some of the European and Chinese markets where the effects of the virus have been spectacular . Our exports to those market place get through zero and easy but sure as shooting other European countries have be causa . Some states in the USA , and later others , and finally the Russian market also shut down , make our current exportations practically zero . There are flights available to ship flower , but there are inner restrictions in each area that occlude operation .
The growth of the virus in Ecuador and its dissemination has also affected us , given that we have limitation on operations for personnel department and supplies .
We have adjudicate to carry out certain tasks by do work from home , some of the administrative , and we have let 50 percent of our field personnel office go home to remain in quarantine . The other half of our employees are carrying out minimal work such as caring for the works and processing a belittled quantity of rose . We are working 6 hours and 4 days per week . The burden and loss are enormous , but we are follow exacting guideline to avoid the spread of the virus .
In percentage , how much has the demand for roses decreased for your company?The first week it deoxidise 30 per centum , the 2d week 70 percentage , and this workweek we ended with 90 percentage of minify sales . Additionally , the defrayal from some clients have been delayed and our obligations must proceed .
How many stems per twenty-four hour period are being processed?At this moment , we are processing almost below the order of magnitude requests for some clients , an norm of 8,000 stem turn per daytime from the norm of 80,000 stems we harvest per day . The bloom that are not process go immediately to be destroyed and transubstantiate into compost , an constitutive fertilizer .
What is being done to wish for the flora while the demand for roses is low?The most basic — we are irrigating and fertilizing day by day but at minimum dosage . We are attempt to minimize the disease and pathogen by absent the heyday that are delinquent for cutting so that it does not rot the plants , and harvest rose that are left to deal .
What precautions and protocols are you practicing during this pandemic?We have implemented a very strict protocol that begins with allowing the hoi polloi most vulnerable or high-pitched risk to rest at home , planning of the security team , training our employees on sanitation and safeguard to dribble out in the workplace and at home to stick around healthy , disinfecting all vehicles of transportation for personnel office , as well as disinfection of every someone that enters or allow the farm property . Additionally , by having one-half of our employee stay home , we derogate the density of persons in each area of the farm dimension and department .
What problem have you see as a result of limitations or regulations , and how have you resolved or conform to these challenge to come through for your clients?The authorities have grant us to work and consider us a priority sector because our exporting aid sustain Ecuador ’s thriftiness . They have granted us secure passageways to transit through and pass the airport . We have been able-bodied to do all this , but unfortunately some flights have been cancel or product has not been able-bodied to be exported because the country of address has been keep out down ; in this case , nothing can be done , and we understand and accept if our client must cancel . We remain operational and we are quick to respond and attend to to any of our node ’ essential .
What inspirational content would you like to divvy up with the reality ? What can flowers contribute during these challenging times?A content of Bob Hope on one hand , given that this eventually will be over , and we will have to adapt to the new reality and restart our lives and businesses . On the other hand , I would like to partake a content of contemplation to everyone that yes , flower are not an indispensable clause for the trunk or for sprightliness , but they are for the soul and for the spirit . We unite with the campaign : Buy Flowers Not Toilet Paper .
For more informationVirgin Farms Directwww.virginfarms.com
