The overall value of floriculture crops was down 4 percent from 2005, according to the newly-released 2007 Floriculture Crops Survey, which covers the year 2006. The survey is compiled from interviews with floriculture growers by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Other highlights from the survey: 

  • The total number of floriculture producers fell to 6,546, or 9 percent, in the 15 states counted. Those producers with sales of $100,000 or more fell 5 percent. 

 • California has the highest crop value at $1.02 billion, which is nearly identical to the California crop value in 2005. 

 • The top five states ranked in order of production value in 2006 are: California, Florida, Michigan, Texas and New York, accounting for two-thirds ($2.67 billion) of the total 15-state value. 

 • Florida's crops fell in value by 16 percent, to $800 million, compared to 2005.

Ben Bolusky, CEO of the Florida Nursery, Growers & Landscape Association says Florida's fall in value was likely caused by the hurricanes the state experienced in 2005. "They certainly upset production availability and production value for '06." Now, however, "everything is humming along -- availability is very good," he says.

The Floriculture Crops Survey is important because it "tells us how domestic growers are doing each year, and what's going on in the market," says SAF's Ira Silvergleit, director of research and information. Due to U.S.D.A budget constraints, the 2006 survey was conducted from an abbreviated sample of 15 states, versus 36 states in previous years, that produce the most floriculture products: California, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas and Washington.

--Vanessa Machir
vmachir@safnow.org

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