Key sustainability insights for pelargonium growers from AIPH Industry Conference

Ghent conference highlights new pressures and opportunities for growers as EU legislation, certification and sustainability demands intensify

Pelargonium for Europe (PfE) has published its latest technical column on sustainability, this time reflecting on presentations by industry experts at the AIPH Industry Conference held in Ghent on 16 September 2025.

The event brought together leading practitioners to debate the future of ornamental horticulture under tightening sustainability requirements. Topics included:

• Data-driven certification and reporting as the new standard for growers
• Upcoming EU legislation on packaging, reporting and due diligence
• Practical realities of peat reduction and substrate alternatives
• Retailer and consumer expectations around pesticide-free production
• Global supply chain accountability including social dimensions of sustainability

Conference highlights suggest the industry is moving towards a new phase which is focused on data-driven reporting, shifting from voluntary commitments to legally binding obligations. That means for growers of pelargonium and poinsettia, the immediate technical priorities involve building reliable data reporting systems, investing in trials and knowledge-sharing around peat alternatives, preparing for packaging regulation with practical innovations, and monitoring EU-level legislation closely in case of fragmented compliance.

Margins in ornamentals are tight, and transitions carry risk. The sector has an opportunity to stay ahead if it treats certification and regulation not just as barriers, but as tools to drive innovation and maintain access to critical markets.

The full article – including insights from speakers such as GLOBALG.A.P., Union Fleurs, Growing Media Europe, Viaverda and Floriculture Sustainability Initiative – is now live on the PfE website, find it at www.pfe-trade.com under Trade News.

This is the latest in a series of technical columns published by PfE and Stars for Europe (SfE), aimed at sharing international knowledge to support growers in building sustainable, competitive businesses.

Growers, retailers and trade professionals can also benefit from the PfE Sustainability Knowledgebase, a curated collection of sustainability news, case studies and research from across Europe, with summaries translated into all campaign languages for easy readability.

In addition, PfE offers a wide range of support materials for the trade, including:

• POS materials to support sales at retail level
• Marketing advice tailored to retailers’ needs
• A large image bank of professional, high-quality pelargonium photography for trade use

For full details and to access resources, visit www.pfe-trade.com. Follow the campaign on LinkedIn for all the latest updates as they happen.

Reproduction is free of charge, please credit ‘Pelargonium for Europe (PfE) and Stars for Europe (SfE)’. Please send a copy. Trade professionals can find more information about PfE at www.pfe-trade.com and about SfE at www.sfe-trade.com.