Flowers know no regional boundaries. They have been grown and sent across the globe to convey the same old feelings of love, gratitude and sadness. Some of popular international flowers include the roses, carnations and daffodils. Amazingly, international flowers seem to transverse all cultures, languages and beliefs. In fact, the flowers seem to speak the same language to people across the world using their different colors.
Although international flowers can have varying meanings to people in different parts of the world, the prorogation of the conventional meanings has served to harmonize the way different people view the flowers. Today, more than sixty-five countries grow cut flowers for both the domestic and export markets. By itself, the flower industry has racked in billions of foreign exchange earning in different countries predominantly in Asia, Latin America and Africa.
Major flower consuming countries include Germany, which accounts for 22 percent of all cut flower demands, the US with 15 percent demand, France accounts for a 10 percent of cut flower consumption, Netherlands with nine percent total demand, Japan also accounts for six percent demand, while both Italy and Switzerland account for five percent each.
To serve the diverse needs of each market, different organizations have been formed in the past century. They range from international floral associations, which set standards and regulations governing the growth, export and sales of the international flowers. In growing areas, associations incorporating both the suppliers and growers are formed to harmonize the cut flower industry. Such associations assist in setting the production infrastructure. The florists also form an integral link in the production and supplier chain, since they are the main link to the final buyer.
The Florist advices the buyers on the flower types that perfectly fit their intended message, for example, a florist will recommend a red rose for use when expressing love and a white rose while expressing sympathy. Florists know the perfect floral arrangements for different occasions and are always at hand to advice the buyers. The quality of international flowers is mainly constant.
The price trends in the international markets are mostly constant although their have had a notable price decline in the last decade. International grower-supplier prices are mainly set in the Netherlands due to the countries big growth and relatively good consumption rates. The final retail prices are dependent on varying florist related issues. This includes their preferred profit margins and the supply-demand fluctuations. Since the growth of international flowers is labor intensive, the cut flower industry provides millions of jobs around the world.
Once the flowers arrive at their destination they are now sold to various people and for various occasions. Additionally, flowers are sold internationally using flowers by wire services. Here a person can order flowers in the USA to be delivered to a loved one in Africa the next day. The florists in the different countries then coordinate to have the flowers delivered to the person by the florist in Africa. The advent of the internet has made international flower delivery a reality.
