COMMERCIALIZATION OF HELICONIA (Heliconia L.) IN ACAYUCAN, VERACRUZ, MEXICO

Abstract

The Heliconia market (Heliconia L.) in Acayucan, Veracruz, México, was characterized in order to identify
its potential for commercialization. A survey was applied to florists through directed interviews, using
a questionnaire, taking into account the flower shops registered in the National Statistical Directory of Economic Units (Directorio Estadístico Nacional de Unidades Económicas, DENUE, 2015), from INEGI, based on the knowledge and types of Heliconia, forms of commercialization, demand and price. The results indicated that 100 % knows about and sells Heliconia plants, and Heliconia wagneriana var. Rainbow stands out because of its sale (41.6 %) in flower arrangements; the average price of flower stems that florists purchase is $8 to $10 MX. The consumer prefers large (42.8 %) and medium (42.8 %) Heliconia that stands erect. The sale of Heliconia showed a benefit/cost of 1.4 to 1.8.