http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2016/09/dutch-flower-importer-closes-down-after-ethiopian-attacks/
Dutch flower importer closes down after attack in Ethiopia
September 6, 2016
Aalsmeer-based flower importer Esmeralda Farms Nederland is being closed down following an attack by rebels in Ethiopia on the company’s flower nursery last week, broadcaster NOS said on Tuesday.
The company’s US parent has decided to close down the Dutch operation, with the loss of 14 jobs, because of the damage caused to the company in Ethiopia, a spokesman told the broadcaster. The Dutch arm is in charge of European distribution and up to 40% of its stock came from the African country.
Esmeralda Farms puts the damage caused by government opponents at €10m. A large part of the company’s crop was destroyed in the attacks, which also affected four other firms with links to the Netherlands.
According to the company’s website, the irrigation system, packaging halls and cold storage rooms were all destroyed in the fire.
http://www.esmeraldafarms.com/latest_news/ethiopia-fire.html
ESMERALDA FARMS BURN DOWN IN ETHIOPIA
Dear Client,
Esmeralda Farms burn down in Ethiopia
By a politic demonstration, the entire company of Esmeralda Farms in Ethiopia is set on fire.
I estimates that 10 million was spent on investment went up in smoke last Monday.
I have not seen pictures of the damage and establish contact with our office in Ethiopia is difficult. "Our manager there temporarily fled and information about the unrest is hardly out. It is still unstable around Bahir Dar, a city north of Addis Ababa. I understand that now ten companies, mostly horticulture, have been affected by the actions of groups that oppose the government. Now foreign investors are screwed that have had help from the government in setting up their business. A few weeks ago, local businesses were affected that have a link with the government. There were soldiers on our farm when the rebels came, they run away because the group was too large. Everything is then was set on fire. "
Esmeralda Farms has 150 ha of land available in Ethiopia. The end of 2015 the first 25 hectares came in production. In the 17 ha foil greenhouse are grown mainly spray roses and outside Gypsophila is the largest crop in the group summer flowers. "Three times a week we got flowers in Aalsmeer from our location in Ethiopia. That was 30-40% of our turnover in Aalsmeer, the rest comes from our companies in South America. We can do nothing now, only wait until the circumstances and people is calm and we have to inform our customers. "
The warehouse and cold storage rooms were built on the growth that the company wanted to make in the coming period in Ethiopia. The tractors, trucks, containers, packaging hall all are burned. All irrigation pumps are damaged all made that the crop dries and I expects the film (plastic)greenhouses have also suffered major damage. "Everything is gone. Ten million investment and a lot of time and effort has gone up in smoke within a day. Fortunately, there was only one person wounded.
Last year, I traveled 24 times to Ethiopia to start up the Farm.
It was one of the most peaceful countries in Africa.
Received on Tue Sep 06 2016 - 10:02:21 EDT