Where Do Florists Get Their Flowers? Major Exporting Countries

Have you ever wondered how your flower shop gets your favourite flowers regardless of the weather or season? Floriculture, as we know it, began in the 19th century in the United Kingdom where flowers were grown in large estates. Today the flower industry is a multibillion-dollar global industry and grows more every year. So what process does your flower bouquet go through before it reaches your hands?

The thriving flower industry comprises of growers, wholesalers, and retailers that work in tandem to bring you gorgeous flowers from around the world. The biggest buyers of cut flowers are from the EU and the US but the biggest growers and exporters are the Netherlands, Ecuador, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Colombia.

The heart of the cut flower trade is the Netherlands, holding 52% of the world’s global production as well as being the top exporter. The Netherlands produces 80% of the world’s tulips and peonies. Flower exports in Africa and Latin America have increased since the 1970s as a result of the oil crisis increasing the cost of heating greenhouses. Flowers from these countries can grow there all year round with little to no energy input.