Like many industries, floristry and floriculture are rapidly evolving as technology and farming practices further evolve in the 21st Century. Below are key floristry and floriculture industry statistics and trends highlighting the shifts in production, employment, consumer sentiment, and floristry practices globally. In addition, the impact of Covid-19 will present numerous short term and long-term challenges to the industry as a whole.
Global Floriculture Production Statistics:
• The worldwide market for Flower and Ornamental Plants (those that are grown for the primary purpose of being solid as cut flowers, houseplants and in landscape design) is expected to grow roughly 6.3% over the next five years, reaching $57.4 Billion USD in 2024, up from $42.4 Billion USD in 2019
• As of 2019, the Netherlands retains a key role in the global trade of cut flowers accounting for over 40% of all global export volume.
• As of 2019, Kenya has grown to become the world’s 3rd largest exporter of fresh cut-flowers supplying close to 40% of all flower sales today in Europe. Which Countries are the Biggest Producers of cut flowers?
• Over the past 20 years, the production of cut flowers has grown at a median annual rate of 7.5%. The Top 10 Producing Countries in the World (as of 2018) by Volume of Cut Flowers Grown:
| Position: | Country: | % Of Global Production: |
| (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) |
The Netherlands Columbia Ecuador Kenya Belgium Ethiopia Malaysia Italy Germany Israel |
52% 15% 9% 7% 3% 2% 1% 1% 1% 1% |
The Top 5 Countries by Export Revenues in 2019:
| Position: | Country: | Export Revenues (Us $): | % Share |
| (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) |
The Netherlands Columbia Ecuador Kenya Belgium Ethiopia |
$4.6 billion $1.4 billion 879.8 million $709.4 million $241.3 million |
48.9% 14.9% 9.3% 7.5% 2.6% |
Which Countries are the Biggest Producers of Specific Flower Varieties?
Roses: Ecuador is the largest producer of Roses in the world.
Tulips: The Netherlands produces 80% of the world’s tulips.
Carnations: Colombia produces the most Carnations.
Orchids: Thailand is the biggest producer of Orchids.
Peonies: The Netherlands is the largest producer
Waste in flower production: • 45% of the flowers managed by the floral industry die before they are even sold. Consumer Spending by Floral Events and Occasions
| • United States • Germany • United Kingdom • Russia |
$1.83 Billion $1.28 Billion $921 Million $554 Million |
• The biggest floral event of the year is Valentine’s Day followed by Christmas and Hannukah and then Mother’s Day. Combined they account for over 70% of annual revenues recorded by most floristry businesses.
• 77% of flower purchases involve a specific occasion or reason. Birthdays and Anniversaries account for 24% of annual sales.
• 60% of all flowers and plants sold globally are purchased as a gift for someone else. 20% are purchases for weddings or funerals and approximately 20% are purchased for the home or office.
• The Rose is far and away the most popular flower. It serves as a timeless symbol of love and romance throughout the year in addition to serving as a filler or compliment in mixed-stem arrangements for numerous gifting occasions.
Implications of COVID-19 on the Floriculture and Floristry Industry:
• A 6.2% contraction was expected in 2020, as a result of a steady decline being amplified by an economic slowdown as the result of the COVID-19 pandemic.