China: Shunde flowers popular during spring festival

Du Yaobin, owner of Mazai flower farm in Shunde district, Foshan, Guangdong province, has had relatively stable exports of Spring Festival-themed plants since he started his business two decades ago.

His exports are estimated at $1.5 million to $1.8 million for the Spring Festival season this year, declining by about 10 percent year-on-year by value largely due to the depreciation of the Malaysian currency.

The Singaporean market, which accounts for 40 percent of Spring Festival-related exports of Mazai, has generated constant growth in the past few years, with a relatively strong Singaporean currency. Markets such as Vietnam and Indonesia have remained stable.

"Singapore is the only country which allows soil to be imported together with plants, which makes it easier to keep plants fresh," Du said.

"Overseas Chinese have strong interest in the Spring Festival. I offer more than 300 types of plants for the festival, including Dracaena Sanderiana, Citrus SP and Anthurium Andraeanum."

Read more at China Daily