SAF initiated a strategic advocacy campaign to resume the publication of the USDA 2018 Floriculture Crops Report. That campaign included SAF members lobbying Congress to prioritize the report during SAF’s Congressional Action Days in March.
The floriculture industry considers the Floriculture Crops Report to be the benchmark in identifying market trends and projecting sales opportunities. The report shows trends in domestic production and helps show year-to-year direction. In addition, the report is used in determining government agricultural policy as well as providing data for academic studies.
The report is the only source of annual data on annual bedding and garden plants, potted herbaceous perennials, potted flowering plants for indoor and patio use, foliage plants for indoor or patio use, cut flowers, cut cultivated greens, and propagative floriculture materials.
Citing budget constraints, USDA decided it could not publish the report in 2016 and 2017 which deprived the floriculture industry of critical information it needs.
SAF will continue to lobby for funding the 2019 report and beyond.