What's happening in the ornamental plants sector?

Global ornamental plant trade volume exceeds $43 billion. The sector's exports are increasing, while imports are decreasing. Türkiye appears poised to create significant added value in ornamental plant production and trade. It provides significant added value to the economy and creates significant employment.

The Ornamental Plants and Products Exporters' Association, AIPH, and Floculture International Magazine recently held an online seminar jointly focusing on "How to source ornamental plants from Türkiye, and what to import?" Floraplus Magazine followed this seminar and compiled key points for you.

Turkey has seen significant growth in the ornamental plants sector in recent years, both in terms of production and exports. The sector continues to grow unabated. İsmail Yılmaz, Chairman of the Ornamental Plants and Products Exporters' Association, stated that they support the sector at almost every stage, from production to exports. He said, “In addition to its climatic and geographical advantages, our country also has a dynamic company structure. We have over 300 exporting companies in our sector. Our sector exports are increasing every year, and we achieved approximately $150 million in exports in 2021.”

With a production value of $1 billion

When looking at production areas by product group, outdoor ornamental plants make up the majority, accounting for 73 percent. Cut flowers follow at 23 percent, indoor ornamental plants at 3 percent, and flower bulbs at 1 percent. The ornamental plants sector generates 80,000 direct and 500,000 indirect jobs, with a production value of $1 billion across 55,000 decares of land.

Last year, Turkish ornamental plant exports reached $147.634 million, reaching a total of 79 countries. Umut Sakarya, a Board Member of the Ornamental Plants and Products Exporters' Association, provided the following information regarding ornamental plant exports and imports: “When we look at 2020-2021 exports, we see that the main exports are in the live plant segment. Cut flowers come second, followed by mosses and flower bulbs. Looking at export markets, the Netherlands leads the way. Last year, Türkiye's total ornamental plant imports were $53 million, with the Netherlands leading the way. These imports are followed by Italy, France, China, Spain, Germany, Costa Rica, and Kenya. While we import cut flowers from the Netherlands, Costa Rica, and China, we purchase more outdoor ornamental plants from these countries.”

The carbon footprint in the sector is huge!

Sustainability, another aspect of the sector that has become even more important due to the climate crisis, is an area that developed countries prioritize. Contrary to popular belief, carbon footprints are also common in horticulture. Carbon footprints can be found throughout the supply chain, from nurseries to seeds, and from retail to consumers. Considering issues such as the high water consumption of cultivated flowers, the carbon footprint of greenhouse plants, and supply chain practices, these issues warrant reconsideration and the proposal of environmentally friendly solutions in these times of heightened climate change.

Bu noktada sektörün özellikle perakende tedarik zinciri kısmında yaşanan çevresel zorlukların, karbon ayak izlerinin ve kötü çalışma şartlarının iyileştirilmesi gerektiğine dikkat çeken İngiltere Coventry Üniversitesi Sürdürülebilir Ekonomiler Bölümü Öğretim Görevlisi Dr. David Bek, bununla ilgili Avrupa Komisyonu’ndan geçen bir yasa teklifinin olduğu bilgisini verdi. Beck, sektörün lojistik ayağıyla ilgili ise deniz taşımacılığının %84 ila 95 oranında karbon emisyonunu azalttığına dikkat çekti.