Is the current decline in cut flower imports just a minor dip in what has been a long-term incline or is it the beginning of a different trajectory? For its Summer 2008 issue, Floral Trend Tracker (FTT), took a look at the data, both recent figures and long-term trends, and spoke to industry insiders to find out why this was happening and how it might affect the industry.

As always, the picture that emerged is not black and white: While the value of imports is up, there also are key signals that the market is changing, perhaps permanently. Countries like Colombia and Ecuador are setting their sights on consumers in Russia and Asia to combat market challenges associated with the U.S. market. Some overseas flower farms, facing rising costs and currency problems, have gone bankrupt and others may follow. Those changes could have a lasting effect on what's available here, stateside. You can read all the details when the summer issue of FTT arrives in your e-mail soon.

--Shelley Estersohn
sestersohn@safnow.org

 

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