Export Statistics Interesting Reading

Recent figures from Statistics New Zealand about the New Zealand flower industry make for some interesting reading.

Exports of cut flowers and foliage fell 9.1 per cent to $35.1 million in 2010.

However the export of seeds and bulbs has risen considerably. Exports of bulbs and tubers in 2010 were worth $31 million.

The ornamentals section of horticulture in New Zealand had a value of over $300 million in 2010, made up of exports of bulbs, tubers, flower seeds and cut flowers, and the sale of cut flowers on the domestic market.

Statistics NZ note about 8 exporters handle 95 per cent of New Zealand’s flower exports.

New Zealand has about 990 commercial flower growers whose produce is worth an estimated wholesale value of $270 million.

The biggest export market for cut flowers in 2010 was Japan at $19.1 million followed by the USA which took $7.4 million of New Zealand flowers.