Global Floral Industry |

Global Floral Industry

The global floral industry with a turnover of nearly US$120 billion is one of the major industries in the world today, growing about 10% year-over- year. The floral industry breaks into three major components: the growers, the wholesalers and the retailers.

Traditionally, Holland is the largest international supplier of flowers in the world. This is because the climates there are suitable for flower production. The flower auction at Aalsmeer is the largest flower market in the world. Japan and other countries in the Western Europe and North America are also the major producers. The major consumer markets are Germany, the United States, France and the United Kingdom.

In recent years, new production centers have emerged at different parts of the world. Better climates and lower labor cost contributed to the emergence of new centers in the third world countries like Ecuador, Ethiopia, Kenya, Colombia and India. Other centers in Israel, South Africa, Australia, Thailand Malaysia and NewZealand have also come into prominence. The typical conducive climatic condition has given an edge to New Zealand and Australia over others in production of seasonal flowers.

Meanwhile,the tradition leader, the Netherlands has shifted its focus from flower production to flower trading. But, the country still plays an important role in the development of floricultural genetics.

The United States imports about 80% of its flowers. Colombia is a leading flower exporter to the US. In recent years Ecuador has also become a leading South American rose produce particularly for large headed roses due to the high altitude location of its rose farms.

In Africa, Kenya is the largest producer and a leading source of Europe's flower requirement.

In the floral industry, transportation plays a crucial role in its growth. This is because most flowers such as orchids, gerberas and water lilies can not survive without water for long period. Fast transportation and innovative methods of packing help counter this problem. Some more expensive or tropical flowers are sent with their own sealed water container on each stem end. The other alternative is transporting them in buckets of water.