Syngenta Flowers cancels FlowerTrials participation due to COVID-19 concerns

Enkhuizen / Netherlands, March 20, 2020 –Considering the continued concern surrounding the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Dutch Government issued a legal order banning mass gatherings, closing all schools, restaurants, bars and many more public venues until April 6. Many local governments have taken additional measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Syngenta Flowers cares about the industry and feels that in times like this, our industry and growers have other priorities and it simply doesn’t feel right to host the FlowerTrials this year, For that reason, we decided to cancel our upcoming Flower Trials event.

Sandra Verlaat, Head of Marketing Europe said “The FlowerTrials have an important function in our industry, both in direct customer contact and providing insights into our innovations. Our marketing team started working on organizing a virtual alternative to Syngenta’s FlowerTrials presentation. In this way we can still share the insights of our new varieties and innovative genetics. But first things first, we still find ourselves trying to make sense of this new chapter in our industry. Our Sales team is in constant contact with our customers to help them address the many difficult dilemmas they are facing right now and we do our bit in helping them through this. Let’s hope the industry will soon be back to business.”

Syngenta Flowers participation to other trade shows in Europe and all other customer facing events until June 30 is cancelled whilst we closely monitor the developments around COVID-19. Syngenta Flowers operations in Enkhuizen and the Westland area are currently operational with a limited number of employees and can be contacted by phone/email. Visitors are not allowed at this time, in accordance with the advice of the Dutch government.

Mark Schermer, Head of Syngenta Flowers Europe, about this decision: “Syngenta Flowers puts the health and safety of its employees, customers and families above all else. COVID-19 is heavily impacting our industry, from breeding company to grower and retailer and we believe canceling all events until summer is the best thing we can do. Not only from a financial perspective, but above all to protect our people, our customers and their families. Once we are passed this pandemic, we will need to work together to bring the flowers industry back on track again. For now, we choose to focus on keeping our people and customers safe and mitigating the impact of this critical situation.”

About Syngenta Flowers
Syngenta Flowers is a leading global company in the pot- and bedding plants market. We produce seeds, cuttings and young plants that fulfil grower’s and retailer’s needs. 2,300 passionate people bring color to the world with innovative varieties in a broad range of crops. As part of Syngenta, a global company with a strong focus on the seeds business and breeding, we have access to leading breeding technologies. We create value for our customers by creative collaborations with strong partners. To learn more visit www.syngentaflowers.eu.

About Syngenta
Syngenta is one of the world’s leading agriculture companies. Our ambition is to help safely feed the world while taking care of the planet. We aim to improve the sustainability, quality and safety of agriculture with world class science and innovative crop solutions. Our technologies enable millions of farmers around the world to make better use of limited agricultural resources. With 28,000 people in more than 90 countries we are working to transform how crops are grown. Through partnerships, collaboration and The Good Growth Plan we are committed to improving farm productivity, rescuing land from degradation, enhancing biodiversity and revitalizing rural communities. To learn more visit www.syngenta.com and www.goodgrowthplan.com. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Syngenta and www.twitter.com/SyngentaUS.

Contact Information
Marleen van Balkom, Marketing Comunications Manager Flowers EAME
+31 6 12480548
marleen.vanbalkom@syngenta.com