Bananas.org - View Single Post - TianZi Nature's Products

51st state · 12-23-2009, 03:38 AM

Hi Buffy

As I understand the history here, Tian Zi initially sold both seeds and plants, indeed it was they who originally brought Musella Lasiocarpa to market. As with any 'new' product this commanded a fairly high price, this in turn encouraged Tian Zi to propagate/plant up many Lasiocarpa. However, the high price encouraged the dutch (and Agristarts?) to TC the plant, crashing the price (as we have also seen with 'Siam Ruby') and leaving Tian Zi with hundreds unsold and unsaleable. A tough lesson. They have subsequently stumbled through poor/inconsistent communications, pricing and shipping issues.

The way forward here is to give the plants a reasonable commercial value. This will encourage limited scale commercial nursery production without a sky high price (so as not to attract TC). They must appreciate that the worldwide market is small. I believe it initially to be say 100 per species (50 US, 50 Europe?) with an ongoing annual demand of say 50. This approach could, when applied not only to Musa but to the other unusual exotics in the region, provide a sustainable local business.

This is where I am in trading with the Indian growers. aside from what they 'list' as standard offerings I have given pre-orders for other species/cultivars which they have in turn sourced from local farmers on my behalf. This is the closest I can get to 'giving back' and hopefully to encourage the continued growth of some of the now superceeded local cultivars.

The idea of a 'partnership' is good. I see no reason why we cannot operate as a co-operative collating orders from .org members, this could be accomplished by 2 annual shipments 1 to Europe and 1 to the US.

We would need to advise them with regards to Phyto certs, packing and shipping. I guess the operation their side needs a commercially savvy individual, not a well intentioned 'pastor'.

It would also be possible to develop a website based retail operation and there are arguments for this approach, which we could discuss.

Any thoughts?

12-23-2009, 03:38 AM	#14 (permalink)
51st state many 'naners, little time 51st state's Photo Gallery Location: salisbury, UK Find me on the map! Zone: 8b ish Name: Kev Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 465 BananaBucks : 313,178 Feedback: 3 / 100% Said "Thanks" 202 Times Was Thanked 259 Times in 126 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: TianZi Nature's Products - Exciting Possibilities Hi Buffy As I understand the history here, Tian Zi initially sold both seeds and plants, indeed it was they who originally brought Musella Lasiocarpa to market. As with any 'new' product this commanded a fairly high price, this in turn encouraged Tian Zi to propagate/plant up many Lasiocarpa. However, the high price encouraged the dutch (and Agristarts?) to TC the plant, crashing the price (as we have also seen with 'Siam Ruby') and leaving Tian Zi with hundreds unsold and unsaleable. A tough lesson. They have subsequently stumbled through poor/inconsistent communications, pricing and shipping issues. The way forward here is to give the plants a reasonable commercial value. This will encourage limited scale commercial nursery production without a sky high price (so as not to attract TC). They must appreciate that the worldwide market is small. I believe it initially to be say 100 per species (50 US, 50 Europe?) with an ongoing annual demand of say 50. This approach could, when applied not only to Musa but to the other unusual exotics in the region, provide a sustainable local business. This is where I am in trading with the Indian growers. aside from what they 'list' as standard offerings I have given pre-orders for other species/cultivars which they have in turn sourced from local farmers on my behalf. This is the closest I can get to 'giving back' and hopefully to encourage the continued growth of some of the now superceeded local cultivars. The idea of a 'partnership' is good. I see no reason why we cannot operate as a co-operative collating orders from .org members, this could be accomplished by 2 annual shipments 1 to Europe and 1 to the US. We would need to advise them with regards to Phyto certs, packing and shipping. I guess the operation their side needs a commercially savvy individual, not a well intentioned 'pastor'. It would also be possible to develop a website based retail operation and there are arguments for this approach, which we could discuss. Any thoughts? __________________ a>