| Colombia | 65% |
| Ecuador | 16% |
| Netherlands | 6% |
In addition to being the Turkish tourism hub, the Mediterranean province of Antalya is also consolidating its position in the cut flower industry with ever-increasing sales figures in international markets.
The province has increased business links with rapidly developing Eastern European countries, as well as Gulf countries, the Turkic Republics and other neighboring markets.
For more: Antalya flower sector aims at $60 mln in exports - Hurriyet Daily News and Economic Review
Environmentally Friendly Cut Flowers - by Connie Krochmal
The most earth friendly flowers are ones that are field-grown locally rather than those being produced in greenhouses. It takes a lot of energy to heat and run greenhouses for orchids and other tropicals. Cut flower growers can now have their operations certified by VeriFlora. This eco-label program is also used by growers of potted plants. The VeriFlora Certified Sustainably Grown label is used by those that meet the guidelines. At this point only large wholesale cut flower operations are using this eco-label. You can look on cut flower labels to see if the symbol is there. At this point, one operation in the U.S. is certified. The rest are in Ecuador.
The sustainability certification applies not only to questions of agricultural sustainability, but also to social responsibility regarding employees. These socially responsible organizations take further steps. For example, they may provide housing, medical care, day care, or similar benefits to workers. They also pay a living wage, which is based on the local cost of living.
Export of flowers from Holland drop 8% in January
Exports of flowers from Holland dropped 8% in January in comparison to January last year. The overall export of flowers in January amounted to 354 million euro so far this year. Street vendors, flower shops and super markets also saw a considerable drop of their cut flower sales as a result of the economic downturn. In addition to make matters worse credit provisions to flower companies have also been greatly reduced.
Cut Flower Sales - Economy may deflect Cupid’s arrow on Valentine's Day
Vases filled with red roses, baby’s breath and greenery fill the coolers at Fannin Flowers. But they’re not flying off the shelves as quickly as Lolies Holleman would like. “I think it’s because of the recession,” said Holleman, after waiting on a customer who ordered a delivery of flowers and chocolate. “It’s a little slow.” Sales are down about 10 percent compared to last year, one reason the company only opened two of its three Fannin Street flower shops, she said. During peak seasons like Valentine’s Day, the business typically opens all three of its locations.
Note EU-Digest: Christmas sales were one of the worst we've seen in years," said Boylen, the third-generation owner of Martin Flowers, which dates back to 1927. "It's a trend happening across the country. From FTD orders we get from other states, quantity is down significantly for Valentine's Day." Media Youngblood, who has owned Mable's Flower Shop in Bessemer for 14 years, said her sales are half of what they were a year ago. 1-800-Flowers.com reported last month that it expects revenues to decline as much as 10 percent this year. Flower shipments from Ecuador to the United States are down 23 percent so far this year in what is normally peak season, said Gonzalo Luzuriaga, president of Expoflores, the country's main growers' association."And the quality has also slipped," Markowski said. Ecuador sold $523 million in flowers from January to November 2008, but its central bank predicts sales will drop by $150 million this year. The country produces 17 percent of cut flowers imported into the United States. Importers in South Florida, the cut-flower capital of the United States, are also feeling the pain. Roughly two-thirds of all cut flowers sold nationwide come through Miami International Airport, mostly farmed in Colombia, Ecuador and other Latin American nations. A few South American farms have folded. As prices for fertilizers and jet fuel soared last year, some found their profits so squeezed they could not cover higher costs. Banks have been tightening credit to growers too, stung by the U.S. financial meltdown.
