The International Grower of the Year (IGOTY) logo | International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH)
La Gaitana Farms, a Colombian carnation grower, has been awarded the title of International Grower of the Year (IGOTY) 2025 by the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH).
The coveted ‘Gold Rose’ award was presented to La Gaitana Farms by Daan de Vries, CEO of Headline Sponsor MPS, at the AIPH IGOTY Awards Ceremony 2025 on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025, at IPM Essen, Germany.
Founded in 2009, the AIPH IGOTY Awards recognize best practices in horticulture by the top ornamental production nurseries from around the globe, celebrating the expertise and energy they give to horticulture.
La Gaitana Farms cultivates a wide variety of blooms with the utmost respect for the environment and communities. The family-owned, independent company grows carnations and produces bouquets from its 43 hectares of cropping area. Their commitment to sustainable practices, technological innovation, and social responsibility has positioned them as a trusted supplier in international markets.
“It’s a big challenge to step into these shoes and keep improving every day, but we’ve done our homework,” says Camilo Bleier of La Gaitana Farms. “It’s a pleasure to be in this industry, it’s fun every day, and you can never grow tired of nature.”
La Gaitana Farms receiving the Gold Rose award | International Association of Horticultural Producer (AIPH)
In addition to the Gold Rose award, La Gaitana Farms also won the Cut Flowers & Bulbs category, presented by Remko Muntinga, CEO of Chrysal, and the Sustainability category, presented by Sarah von Fintel, Key Account Manager for GlobalG.A.P. and G.G.N. Label.
The IGOTY 2025 Jury says, “Growing in Colombia and distributing globally has pushed La Gaitana Farms to elite status in the production of carnations. The company’s focus on sustainable practices in everything they do will help lead them to a strong and successful future. La Gaitana Farms utilizes strong selection, implementation, and evaluation processes to ensure quality products. They continuously adopt new innovations in all areas and their efforts towards sustainability and adapting to climate change have borne results.”
IGOTY 2025 Category Winners:
Young International Grower of the Year
Cut Flowers and Bulbs
- Winner: La Gaitana Farms (Colombia)
- Finalist: Soex Flora PVT. LTD. (India)
- Finalist: Yunnan Yuntianhua Huajiangpu Technology Co., Ltd (China)
Young Plants
Finished Plants and Trees
- Winner: VIVERCID (Spain)
- Finalist: Stolkbrothers (Netherlands)
- Finalist: Taizhou Suzhong Horticulture Co., Ltd (China)
Sustainability
- Winner: La Gaitana Farms (Colombia)
- Finalist: Fitoralia (Spain)
- Finalist: Yunnan Yuntianhua Huajiangpu Technology Co., Ltd (China)
- Finalist: Taizhou Suzhong Horticulture Co., Ltd (China)
In addition to the category winners, AIPH recognized the efforts of three producers with Certificates of Merit. Although these entries did not reach the finals, their commitment to the industry is worthy of acknowledgment.
For more information about each of the winners, take a look at the digital Winners Brochure.
