Hi All,
We saw the PetalPack annonced already, in the Biotec information, and I sent that info to several International Florists at the time :)
Holland would be a good place to get a deal, millions of tulips EVERY YEAR :)
Cheers,
PM
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Exporting cut flowers
21 October 2002
The global flower trade
Australia is now an integral part of the expanding world flower trade, which, in 2000, was worth an estimated US$7 billion. Over
65 countries are involved in the international trade in cut flowers and foliages. The main countries exporting fresh flowers are:
The Netherlands
Colombia
Israel
Ecuador
Spain
Italy.
http://www.agric.nsw.gov.au/reader/ornamentals/export-flowers.htm
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3. Developments in world demand
3.0 Introduction
Cultivation of cut flowers and potted plants is widely spread throughout the world.
It is included in the statistics of 145 countries. In addition, cut flowers are extensively grown in many countries on small outdoor plots. Cut flower acreage and production value in the wormall outdoor plots. Cut flower acreage and production value in the world are increasing. Based on the seventeen most important production countries, it is currently estimated at about 60,000 hectares.
3.1 World demand for cut flowers
World consumption of cut flowers and plants can only be given in approximate figures.
World cut-flower markets are growing at a current rate of 6-9% per year. The total consumption in 1985 was about 12.5 billion dollars. In 1990, the consumption rose to about 25 billion dollars. Due the change in the exchange rate between the dollar and the guilder, this growth is spectacular. In the nineties, the growth continues. In 1995, the total world market was about 31 billion dollars. Taking developments in production, imports and economic variables into account, consumption of cut flowers is to be expected to rise to 35 billion dollars. In international terms, the consumption of cut flowers is concentrated in three regions: Western Europe, North America and Japan. The highest growth is expected in Japan and the USA. The West European market is becoming saturated. As a result, its cut flower consumption share is declining. New markets are emerging in the Eastern European countries. In one segment of the market, cut flowers are becoming part of the consumption patterns of people with high incomes. In Japan, domestic consumption of cut flowers will become more regular then in the past. In the past, consumption egular then in the past. In the past, consumption was mainly based on special occasions and institutional consumption (hotels, parties, etc.). This pattern is changing to a more Western style. Consumption is rising not only in Japan. In other Asian countries with rising expendable incomes and a flower-minded culture, consumption will go up. If economic development keeps accelerating in Latin America, a strong demand increase is also to be expected here. Growth in cut-flower consumption is greatly dependent on the economic development of the different parts of world and of course on flower-minded culture.
3.2 World demand for potted plants
Worldwide consumption of potted plants is increasing rapidly. The
total consumption in 1990 was about 14.2 billion dollars, some 21% higher than in 1985. In 1995, this market already increased to about 19 billion dollars. Also in this market, consumption will rise to about 20-23 billion dollars in 2000. Further growth is expected due to the growing expendable income in a lot of regions in the world. The US, with about one third of the consumption, has the largest share of the total world consumption, followed by Germany (about 20%), Italy and France.
3.3 World export/import of ornamental plants
The value of world import/export is increasing every year.
In 1996, the total value was already 2.5 billion dollars. In 1996, the total value was already 7.5 billion dollars (see figure 3.1). Although the growth is in nominal value, the figures show a rapid increase in the flows of horticultural products. The biggest import markets are Germany, USA, France and the United Kingdom. The world's largest exporter of horticultural products is by far the Netherlands (see figure 3.2), which is responsible for about 60% of international export.
The international trade in cut flowers and potted plants is growing every year. From the total production of cut flowers and potted plants, only a small part is exported to the international market. About 75% of the international trade comes from within Europe. Germany alone accounts for 30% of the world imports of cut flowers. Besides Germany, the United States, France and the United Kingdom are big importers. The Netherlands is also a big importer but it re-exports most of its imports, primarily to Europe.
The total value of the world export of cut flowers rose from 1.25 billion dollars in 1982 to 3.6 billion dollars in 1995 (see figure 3.3). The Netherlands, Columbia, Israel, Kenya and Ecuador are the biggest exporting countries in the world.
The position of the Netherlands in very dominant in the total export (about 65%, see figure 3.4). When you consider the export from the Netherlands to other European countries (1.8 billion dollars from the total export value of 2.1 billion dollars) as inter export value of 2.1 billion dollars) as interregional trade, the conclusion is that the international trade is very limited in relation to total world wide consumption. It is to be expected that the north-south axis will be important to the export market. Africa will increasingly export to Europe, and South America to the USA and Canada. Within Asia, there will be a growing interregional trade with upcoming countries like Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines. Australia and New Zealand have possibilities on the niche market in Asia with high-quality products.
The total export of potted plants is smaller, amounting to about 1.75 billion dollars in 1995.
Because of the high transport costs per unit, the export of this type of product is usually to neighbouring countries. The main exporters are the Netherlands, Denmark and Belgium.
http://www.agrsci.unibo.it/wchr/wc1/degroot.html