INTERNATIONAL PROTEA ASSOCIATION: BUILDING ON STRENGTHS AND FACING THE DEMANDS OF A DYNAMIC INTERNATIONAL FLORICULTURAL TRADE TO SECURE A SUCCESSFUL PROTEA INDUSTRY

Countries or regions with a significant Proteaceae industry are approved by the International Protea Association (IPA) Council as ‘member countries’. In 2015, there are 15 recognised member countries of IPA, including Australia, the Azores, California, the Canary Islands, Chile, Hawaii, Israel, New Zealand, Portugal, South Africa and Zimbabwe. An important feature of IPA conferences is the country reports, compiled and presented by representatives of these member countries. Each report presents a snapshot of the Proteaceae industry in the country represented. These are very interesting in terms of both their similarities and their contrasts. This snapshot typically covers the history of each respective Proteaceae industry, its size (area of production and number of growers), location of production areas within the country, value of production, key export and domestic markets, key products, together with common, or unique threats and opportunities.