“We have attended flower trade shows twice in Kunming, Yunnan, trying to meet overseas buyers, but the results were not so satisfying”, Miss Rola Liao, a disappointed cut flower supplier from Yunnan, is quoted as saying.
Interestingly, she is not the only one who feels this way.
Deficiency of overseas distribution channels in Yunnan flower industry
For 24 years in a row, Yunnan has been the biggest cut flower grower region in China. However, it is not providing enough opportunities and channels for its local flower suppliers and growers to expand their overseas market, for its geographic disadvantage — ever-stretching mountains and plateaus — is precluding it from becoming the international distribution hub it has intended to be.
Yunnan flowers going global through Guangzhou
Is there no way for Yunnan suppliers to sell their flowers abroad? In fact, Guangzhou is a major distributor center for Yunnan flowers. The daily shipment of cut flowers from Yunnan to Guangzhou has topped 100 tons in 2015, accounting for a quarter of the total, as reported by Times Finance.
Being one of the most logistically convenient cities in the world, Guangzhou is an important international transportation center in China. Its modern airport facilities provides flights to over 90 overseas destinations covering more than 40 countries and regions. For instance, it only takes a dozen hours to get to Ecuador.
More importantly, as Guangzhou enjoys the reputation of Flower City, it has a highly improved and perfected entry-exit inspection, quarantine, and customs systems and mechanism to support its thriving flower import and export business.
Flower Expo China, the choice of Yunnan Government
Last December, the Flower Expo China, a Guangzhou-based flower trade show, has finally come into the sight of Yunnan Agriculture Department, and the government agency decided to join forces with the Flower Expo China show organizer to create better overseas business opportunities for local suppliers.
By now, many Yunnan exhibitors like Kunming Gary’s Trading, have confirmed their attendance to Flower Expo China 2019. Other interested enterprises include Kunming Lanshuixing Trading, Yunnan Youwang Agricultural Technology and others.
China International Floriculture & Horticulture Trade Fair (Flower Expo China)
Date: March 17-19, 2019
Venue: Guangzhou International Sourcing Center Complex
Website: http://www.flowerexpochina.com