Kazakhstan's flower industry is experiencing a notable shift as local production dwindles, leading to a significant uptick in imports to meet market demands.
Last year saw a stark 38.6% reduction in locally harvested flowers, with only 10.8 million collected compared to 17.6 million in 2022. This decline, particularly evident in greenhouse flowers, reflects challenges faced due to adverse weather conditions, notably severe frost in January 2023.
The decline in domestic flower production in Kazakhstan is being compensated by imports, which exceed local harvests by nearly 13 times. According to customs statistics, the country imported 137.3 million cut flowers and buds, including roses, carnations, orchids, chrysanthemums, lilies, and gladioli, last year. This figure marks a 16.2% increase compared to 2022. Kazakhstani consumers paid other countries USD 50.7 million for such imports.
Roses dominate the import market, constituting 81.6% of total imports.
Source: finprom.kz