Visiting your local florist or nursery to buy your favorite flowers or as a gift, one doesn't realize that the flowers they are buying may come from somewhere on the other side of the world.
The flower industry is truly global in scope; with the following countries having the biggest impact: Kenya, Israel, The Netherlands and Colombia. However Malaysia, Ecuador, The Philippines, and South Africa are also quickly becoming strong players in the market. The bestselling flowers include tulips, sunflowers, daisies, roses, iris, carnations, lilies, lilacs, and orchids but the industry is now also growing indigenous flowers and hybrids.
The Flower industry is made up of three basic parts: the grower, the wholesaler and the seller (florist or flower shop). In some cases, all three come together in one firm, like Buds and Blossoms they grow their own flowers and sell them directly to the retail market. Buying from them skips the middleman, which provides great savings to the end-consumer.
If you try to purchase flowers from a grower or a wholesaler, they routes these take depend on where they grow and the type of flower you chose. In some cases, the flowers are cut at the nursery and sent directly in the mail. Some flowers are sent to a company that will pack, grade and organize them to be either delivered in the mail or sent to florists or supermarkets. And in yet other cases, the growers themselves will grade and package the flowers then sell them to wholesalers; these will sell them to flower shops which offer them to the public.
Knowing this, you can be smart about where to buy your flowers and skip the wholesaler, even if you are not a florist.
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