Florverde Sustainable Flowers (FSF) is an international certification scheme in floriculture. Thanks to it, Colombian growers are not only exporting flowers anymore, but also sharing knowledge and best practices with the world. "FSF continuously monitors and improves the origin and traceability of flowers, ensures that they are cultivated sustainably, and provides clear information to all stakeholders in the markets where national and international growers export," said Daniela España, Director of Florverde Sustainable Flowers.
Transparency that opens international doors
The Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative (SSCI) of the Consumer Goods Forum (Paris), a global network of over 400 companies across 70 countries, has renewed its 2024 recognition of FSF. This 2025 ratification highlighted the certification scheme for its innovative Corporate Ethics chapter, the only one of its kind in the global floriculture industry. This reaffirmed FSF's transparency toward international producers and retailers.
Sponsored by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, the guide identified FSF as a global reference for best practices, with much of its content drawing on the certification scheme's expertise.
These and other international recognitions have consolidated the credibility of the Colombian certification and positioned FSF as a benchmark for growers from other countries seeking the right backing to access new markets.
Today, more than 7,000 hectares in Colombia and Ecuador are certified under FSF, while grower groups in Nicaragua and Peru are preparing to begin the certification process.
Finally, audits and approvals by independent and neutral organizations in several countries continue to strengthen FSF's reliability among buyers, traders, and consumers in key global markets.
Traceability supported by over 5 million data points and 30 socio-environmental indicators
FSF's strength lies in proving, with data, that sustainability is a real practice rather than a slogan. Its "Management Indicator System" integrates over 5 million records collected over three decades, compiled into 30 environmental, social, and economic indicators.
Through a digital platform, information from each certified farm is gathered, offering precise traceability of water, energy, pesticide, and fertilizer use, carbon footprint, and social variables such as staff turnover, accidents, and absenteeism, among others.
This allows flower growers to continuously measure and improve the efficiency, productivity, and profitability of their businesses. By tracking the performance of key processes, they can make informed decisions and strengthen the economic performance of their operations.
Sustainability for ecosystems and all forms of life
FSF understands that floriculture can only thrive if biodiversity is protected and climate change is actively addressed. For this reason, it promotes practices that restore ecosystems, reduce emissions, and enhance the resilience of both crops and communities. These actions include:
- Biodiversity and ecological restoration: the Propagation Banks project multiplies native species, reforests degraded areas, promotes ecological corridors, and encourages landscaping within farms.
- Pest management and healthier soils: a 53% sector-wide reduction in chemical pesticide use, a 99.7% decrease in insecticides, and a 600% increase in the use of bio-inputs over the past decade.
- Circular economy and waste management: 100% of certified farms reuse and recycle materials from their production processes.
- Footprint measurement and reduction: a sector-wide calculator aligned with international standards measures the carbon footprint, including emissions from cultivation and air and sea transport. Water footprint assessments are also carried out to guide adaptation and efficiency strategies.
- Birds Study: led by FSF, this 2024 study assessed the positive impact of flower farms on bird conservation, with special attention to the Tingua Moteada, an endangered species endemic to the Cundiboyacense highlands. The study found that flower farms act as refuges, increasing bird presence through responsible agricultural practices that protect ecosystems.
With transparency, traceability, and sustainability, FSF represents Colombia to the world—working not only for biodiversity in the country but also from the country for global biodiversity and the future of international floriculture.
An international certification open to all producers
"FSF has changed the perception among small producers that international certifications are out of reach. We currently support some already certified and others in the process in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Guatemala, helping them reduce operational costs and gain the reputation and client relationships that come with certification, enabling them to grow in international markets," España added.
With FSF, Colombian floriculture proves that producing quality flowers, protecting water, restoring biodiversity, and generating social and economic value can go hand in hand. This certification not only validates flowers—it certifies commitment, knowledge, and responsibility. From Colombia, it inspires the world, showing that when sustainability and innovation meet, the future of agriculture blooms with hope for producers of every scale.
For more information:
Florverde Sustainable Flowers
[email protected]
https://www.florverde.org/
