With specific export incentives on freight and production, the floriculture sector in Bangladesh can double shipments in five years from around $80 million/year now, analysts feel.
Exports of flowers had reached a record $144.79 million in 2006-07, but has since faltered because an exponential growth in land value in cities like Pune and Bangalore has forced many exporters to close their units.
“We can boost exports of fresh flower to a very high level with appropriate policy intervention,” said Praveen Sharma, president of Pune-based Indian Society of Floriculture Professionals (ISFP). Shipments were worth $78.7 million in 2017-18 (in fact, exports have been fluctuating in the range of $75-80 million since 2011-12). Industry experts say dry flower has larger share than fresh varieties in the export basket (60:40).