China's export volume of flowers is over AED 367 million

"The Chinese horticulture industry is keen to promote the development of its flower industry," said DFC Marketing Director Ibrahim Ahli. "China ranks number one in the world in terms of planting area of flowers, however, the country's annual export volume of flowers is only around AED 367 million ($100 million), and the country is ranked 22nd in the world," he said.

He noted that China was eager to increase its flower exports and was eyeing Dubai as a base to reach out to wider markets throughout the Middle East and beyond. "China is taking on the ambitious task of becoming a major producer and consumer in the world floral market with comprehensive support from the Chinese Florists Association (CFA)," Mr. Ahli observed.

DFC, thanks to its strategic location at the Dubai International Airport, serves more than 113 airlines offering easy access to over 194 destinations. This comprehensive and quicker accessibility factor is largely unmatched by any other transhipment facility. Chinese operators want to tap this DFC advantage and cash in on the opportunity to increase their business potential in the Middle East region.

The Chinese government is making concerted efforts to export cut flowers, aimed not just at developing a new business to take on the world but also at redeveloping the social and economic landscape in South-western China through the Chinese Flower Association.

By placing the flower industry, far from the coastal provinces that have enjoyed most of the nation's prosperity, Beijing officials seek to take advantage of millions of inexpensive workers to narrow the income gap between rich city dwellers and unemployed farmers.

China plans to become the biggest flower producer and exporter in Asia in the next ten years and possibly the worlds second largest after the Netherlands.

The 9th Hortiflorexpo China in Shanghai, covered a total area of 17,000 square metres and attracted over 350 exhibitors from 24 countries including Netherlands, Germany, United States, Belgium, Korea, U.K., Columbia, Sweden, Russia, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong China, Taiwan China and the China main land, and the UAE among others.