The British cut-flower market is experiencing a resurgence, sparking optimism for a significant return to homegrown, fragrant blooms as part of the £1 billion UK floral industry.
Last year, UK flower production surged to £179 million, according to figures from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), up from £126 million in 2019.
While imports still significantly overshadow homegrown flowers, falling slightly from £869.1 million in 2022 to £761.8 million last year, the rise in domestic production is seen as a hopeful trend for both the economy and the environment. Approximately 90% of flowers sold by florists, supermarkets, and wholesalers are still imported, with stems flown in from as far as Ecuador, Colombia, Kenya, and Ethiopia.
However, research highlights the environmental toll of these imported blooms. One study revealed that a mixed bouquet from abroad can produce up to ten times more CO2 emissions than one grown locally, a stark reminder of the impact of long-distance transportation and energy-heavy cultivation methods.
Olivia Wilson, co-founder of the London florist Wetherly, emphasised that many imported flowers lack fragrance due to breeding that prioritises durability over scent, to withstand the rigours of international shipping.
This shift towards UK-grown flowers is thus being lauded for its potential environmental benefits. “There is definitely a trend in increased popularity of British flowers,” confirmed Harriet Smithson of Cumberland Flower Farm.
While DEFRA’s data captures a substantial rise, it omits contributions from smaller, artisan growers, whose flowers are often grown on plots of less than two acres. Estimates suggest this growing sector could be worth millions annually. In the last decade, the number of small growers has soared, with Flowers from the Farm, a network of these producers, now boasting over 1,000 members across the UK, from Cornwall to the Isle of Skye.
One such grower is Celestina Robertson, who has cultivated flowers on her one-acre site in north Norfolk for ten years. She acknowledges the global flower industry’s challenges, including labour exploitation and environmental damage. “I wanted to start a flower-growing business where we grow flowers ecologically and think about the connection between people and their environment,” she explained. Despite producing just 180,000 stems annually—a drop in the ocean compared to billions of imported flowers—Robertson’s hyper-local operation caters to the north Norfolk community with sustainable alternatives.
Smithson estimates that small producers could contribute around £20 million annually to the UK flower industry. “It’s a small but not insignificant industry input,” she said.
Nonetheless, imported flowers continue to dominate the market. Roisin Taylor, an artisan producer, has been researching the British flower industry and identified key challenges facing small growers. “My research suggests this is a strong British industry, but not a strong enough British industry,” she remarked. Taylor pointed to logistical issues and the need for greater government support, especially in the form of infrastructure to connect small producers with florists and customers.
Taylor believes that while the decline in imports and the resurgence of small growers is encouraging, progress cannot continue without more robust support from DEFRA. “This amazing industry is a huge boost to local economies and also does amazing things for biodiversity and wildlife,” she said.
Next month, Flowers from the Farm will transition into a trade association aimed at promoting locally-grown, seasonal flowers and encouraging more people to enter the market. Olivia Wilson expressed optimism about the resurgence, but noted the need for farms to scale up for the wholesale market to offer a viable alternative to imported flowers.
Small producers are also advocating for clearer labelling, specifically a legal requirement to display the country of origin on cut flowers. Currently, Waitrose is one of the few supermarkets to do so, with a spokesperson stating: “We’re really proud of the long-standing working relationships we’ve nurtured with our trusted British flower growers.”
The resurgence of small-scale, ecological flower farms marks a significant step towards revitalising the British flower market, both for the planet and for local communities. However, it is clear that more needs to be done to ensure homegrown blooms truly flourish in an industry still dominated by imports.
Comentarios