Author | Zhou Mo
Vietnamese flowers have gained a foothold in the Japanese market
At present, many flowers in Vietnam have gradually gained a foothold in the Japanese market and are popular with local consumers. Japan is now one of Vietnam's important flower export markets. The latest statistics from Japan Customs show that in 2021, Japan's flower imports reached 65.3 billion yen ($528 million), of which $45 million was imported from Vietnam, accounting for 8.52% of the total. In 2021, Vietnam's flower exports reached US$61.8 million, an increase of 27% year-on-year. Japan mainly imports carnations, chrysanthemums, lilies, orchids and roses from Vietnam.
Kaori Sato, head of AEON's AEON division at Aeon Retail Conglomerate, said about 40 percent of the flowers sold at Aeon Mall in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, are imported from Vietnam. Hiroshi Yamazaki, an office worker in Tokyo, often buys flowers for relatives and friends. He said he especially likes the flowers produced in Vietnam because they are very fresh and beautiful.
Despite Vietnam's rapidly growing share of the Japanese flower market, economic experts say the potential for Vietnamese flowers is still great. Sato thinks the same way. Ta Duc Minh, Vietnam's trade counselor in Japan, said that Vietnamese flower growers and exporters should pay special attention to the needs of Japanese partners, ensure the quality of flowers, and strictly comply with Japanese regulations on plant quarantine and other regulations.
Before Mother's Day, Dutch flower exports hit a record high
According to Floradata's export statistics, the high global demand for flowers and plants remains at record levels on the eve of Mother's Day. Consumers seem to accept the reality that price increases are taken for granted. In the first three months of 2022, the Netherlands reached a record high with exports of ornamental plant products worth 2.1 billion euros. Exports data for April also showed a slight increase.
At present, the sharp rise in energy prices is the biggest problem facing the flower industry. As a result, the cost of producing flowers and plants is getting higher and higher. Air freight costs are also increasing.
Innovative fertilizers help save energy
B+H recently developed an innovative fertilizer that addresses the current increasing energy costs. The Metal-based nanofertilizer developed by the German company, which contains trace elements such as copper (Cu), silver (Ag), iron (Fe), boron (B), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg), can significantly increase the photosynthetic rate and promote a 20% increase in plant yield. B+H fertilizers can also make plants strong and healthy, have enhanced flowering capacity, are tolerant to abiotic or biological stresses, and extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables, among others.
A six-week study that ended in May showed that the use of new fertilizers with B+H would significantly vary the rate of photosynthesis in gerbera plants. Compared to plants treated with standard nutrient solutions, the new B+H product doubles the photosynthetic rate of plants. The increase in photosynthetic rate can save light in the greenhouse, thereby reducing the customer's energy costs. This allows healthy and strong plants to grow profitably, even in times of energy crisis.