Issei Yamaguchi at the IFEX in Tokyo, Japan.
Demand
The demand for the cockscomb celosia of Asukaen, also called the Asuka Coral Family, has been rising for several years and over the last months, it has been higher than expected. "The weather, which not has not been perfect since summer - gray skies and rains - pushed the demand for flowers in every category in September and October. On top of that, the cockscomb celosia is now more accepted as a unique flower item in japan and florists, and especially the young artists, seem to be enjoying this new item to enhance their creativity. They use it in bouquets, flower stands, wedding decorations, and Ikebana(生花) (Japanese art of flower arrangement).
All in all it increased the demand. "I'm entirely not sure, but I think the demand increased by 100 percent. We foresaw an increase in demand and therefore increased our production by 25 percent. But even then, the demand is too high to meet with our production volume."
The cockscomb celosia in the greenhouse.
Prices
And as the demand increases, the prices often do too. According to Yamaguchi, last year's prices already increased by 15 percent compared to the year before and this year they seemed to be higher again. "The prices might have increased by 10 percent, compared to last year when Japan's after-summer weather was better."
Autumn colors
The Asuka Coral Family consist of 20 colors and during this time of the year, colors like dark pink, bright red, green, purple, orange and brown are the most demanded. "As the cockscomb celosia often is being combined with other flowers, we are focused on the colors that can be easily combined with other flowers around this season that represent autumn in Japan", says Yamaguchi.
The purple variety that won the excellence award.
Purple - IFEX Excellence Award
The purple variety of Asukaen even won the excellence award in the cut flower category at the IFEX in Tokyo, Japan. During these variety contests, "The Future Best Sells" were chosen by a judge that consist of renowned flower designers, presidents of Japan's leading flower shops and flower auctions. An additional advantage of winning this award is the fact that all winning varieties will be promoted in Japan's leading flower shops and flower arrangement schools.
Orange - Halloween
And a color that is increasing in popularity during this time of the year is orange. This color is used for Halloween, a holiday that arrived only recently in Japan. According to Yamaguchi, the economical impact is still limited in the ornamental sector when comparing it to other sectors. However, it is increasing in popularity and flower shops are decorating their stores with Halloween colors and items to evoke the demand. "This year, Halloween was even more popular than last year. One study shows that Halloween’s economic impact has been bigger than Valentine’s day in japan. People are not trick or treating in the city but, enjoying wearing costumes to walk around Shibuya in Tokyo around Halloween weekend."
Celosia season
The celosia season runs from April till about the middle of November. Then Asuken they will start the production of Oriental lilies in their 7,000㎡ sized plastic greenhouse in Saga Prefecture, Japan. "The reason why we do not produce celosias year round is the fact that it will cost too much."
For more information
Asukaen Co.
Issei Yamaguchi
Email: [email protected]
www.asukaen.com