Ecuador flower expo blossoms

ROUGH CUT - NO REPORTER NARRATION

International buyers are flocking to Ecuador's capital for the biannual International Flower Exhibition, Agriflor, and the largest of its type in Latin America.

Set up in a 12,000 square metre exhibition hall, organisers say it's also the world's largest rose fair.

One of the most popular flowers, produced on demand, are the tinted roses which can have more than two colours.

Some countries and soccer clubs sometimes order them for special occasions. On display at the fair was a three colour rose to pay homage to Ecuador's flag.

Filled with mainly 200 Ecuadorian flower growers, buyers from 37 countries look for the world's biggest and best roses and also many other types of cut flowers.

Ecuador's cut flower industry attracts hundreds of international buyers every year.

Ecuador has more than 2,500 hectares of cultivated flowers and thanks to its geographic location, it may grow them all year long.