logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2022
18m 24s

How green is the global flower industry?

Bbc World Service
About this episode

Most flowers sold in the florists and supermarkets of Europe are grown in East Africa, where the warm climate supports roses and other plants to grow year round. But is it sustainable? Vivienne Nunis follows the international supply chain from a Kenyan flower farm to the hub of the global flower trade near Amsterdam, where every morning stems are sold at auction before being transported in cold storage trucks to buyers across Europe. The Dutch have been trading flowers since medieval times, when speculators paid enormous prices for tulip bulbs. We pay a visit to Amsterdam's Tulip Museum to find out why. The worldwide flower market is worth $40bn a year, but as growing numbers of consumers start to question the true environmental cost of what they buy, some growers are advocating for a return to seasonal, local blooms. We visit English grower Tess Wardman of Iris and Wilf flowers. Producer: Sarah Treanor. Image: Bouquets of roses for sale. Credit: BBC

Up next
Jul 10
Business Daily meets: Max Levchin
The fintech entrepreneur tells us about co-founding PayPal, and how an embarrassing personal moment when trying to buy a car, led him to start the buy now, pay later company Affirm.Produced and presented by Leanna Byrne(Image: PayPal Co-Founder & Affirm CEO Max Levchin in 2019. C ... Show More
17m 34s
Jul 9
The impact of 'thirsty' data centres
We're in the US state of Georgia, where huge data centres need water to keep cool. But how is this need for cloud storage and AI capability affecting local residents and the environment?Presenter: Michelle Fleury Producer: Nathalie Jimenez(Image: Georgia resident Beverly Morris l ... Show More
17m 50s
Jul 8
Does university still get you a well-paid job?
Graduates are facing one of the toughest jobs markets in decades. We hear from students in India, the US and UK about whether they feel a university or college degree is worth it as we discuss the cost of attending university around the world and what your job prospects might be ... Show More
17m 27s
Recommended Episodes
Apr 2023
A Rose by Any Other Name: Supply Chains and Carbon Emissions in the Flower Industry
Headquartered in Kitengela, Kenya, Sian Flowers exports roses to Europe. Because cut flowers have a limited shelf life and consumers want them to retain their appearance for as long as possible, Sian and its distributors used international air cargo to transport them to Amsterdam ... Show More
23m 34s
Feb 2023
Saint-Valentin en Europe, les roses africaines toujours bien placées
En ce jour de Saint-Valentin, les roses africaines ont toujours la cote sur le marché international. Vendues à des prix compétitifs, elles permettent de compenser une production de fleurs européenne frappée de plein fouet par la hausse des coûts énergétiques.  Les consommateurs e ... Show More
1m 41s
Apr 2023
Mums and Flower Farming with Miranda Bowman
Today we get to talk with Miranda from Wildrye Farm about the heirloom chrysanthemums she grows and sells plugs of, and about her amazing farm in Bellingham, Washington where she specializes in sustainable, exceptional quality cut flowers and foliage! I ask Miranda about her care ... Show More
1h 19m
Jun 2021
How Venus ET Fleur is setting the gold standard for the floral industry
Venus ET Fleur is a husband-and-wife-led luxury brand disrupting the flower industry - not least by offering roses that last a full year with minimal upkeep. That alone would set them apart. But they’ve also nailed an exciting, innovative approach to meeting their customer’s need ... Show More
41m 54s
Mar 2024
39. Houseplants
Interest in houseplants has exploded in recent years. But what causes floral trends, and prices, to grow? Zachary Crockett sows a few seeds. SOURCES:Justin Hancock, director of research and development at Costa Farms.Brian Williams, co-owner of Brian's Botanicals.Sarah Williams, ... Show More
14m 31s
May 2022
26/04/2022 - Dairy prices, Scottish flowers, Efra chair
The price farmers are being paid for milk is rising faster than ever before and is likely to hit rates never seen before over the next couple of months. But dairy farmers won’t be rushing off to book their next holiday or buy a new tractor, in fact some of them will be barely bre ... Show More
13m 27s
Jun 2023
Le marché de la banane bio n'échappe pas à la crise
Après dix années de croissance, le marché de la banane bio semble aujourd'hui s'inverser. Elle n'échappe pas à la crise, et voit sa consommation et sa production baisser. C'est la première année depuis dix ans que les volumes de bananes biologiques commercialisées en Europe recul ... Show More
1m 39s