Orchid growers in Nakhon Pathom gave out free bouquets after finding themselves overstocked as flower exports to China shrivel under the spread of the coronavirus.
The Thai Orchid Entrepreneurs Cooperative Co and Thai Orchids Garden Enterprises Association offered 1 million free bouquets of orchids. The freebie had to be ordered through the provincial commercial office in Nakhon Pathom, and the two agencies sent them out by mail.
Air Orchid and Lab, another orchard in Bang Laen district of the same province, also offered free orchids for visitors on Saturday and Sunday. They could cut any flower they liked during the tour of the premises.
"The Covid-19 outbreak stopped orchid exports to China just when the flowers were blooming. So we turned the crisis into an opportunity, returning our favour to our visitors," the farm posted a message on its Facebook account.
China is a major destination for orchids from Thailand, accounting for 10% of orchid exports. Japan was the top destination last year, followed by the United States, Vietnam and China, according to Commerce Ministry initial figures. Despite ranking fourth, the Chinese market led growth, expanding 30% since 2018.
