How cost of living is hitting flower growers

The cost of living crisis has had a surprising effect on Australia’s floral industry, despite facing strong headwinds.

Flower Industry Australia chief executive officer Anna Jabour said cost of living was affecting growers in different ways. Picture: Mark Stewart

Parts of Australia’s cut flower sector are blooming, despite many growers across the country facing increased cost of living pressures.

But the rising presence of imported cut flowers in the past decade is further straining conditions for Australian growers amid the tough economic conditions.

Carly Van der Zwet grows ornamental flowers at Maxiflora at Newhaven, Phillip Island.

She said business was doing well off the back of strong demand and other large-scale growers expanding their operations.

“We have plans to considerably expand our production area to meet our customers’ demand,” Ms Van de Zwet said.

She said while flowers were a luxury item, many people could still afford to buy bunches while demand for wedding florals remained strong.

But the pressure from imported flowers was also noteworthy, Ms Van der Zwet said.

“Had the supermarkets and governments supported Australian growers in the early 2000s instead of following easy money import fantasies, they could have a sound and reliable Australian supply chain now,” Ms Van der Zwet said.

Data from UN Comtrade showed the value of imported cut flowers, live bulb roots, and ornamental foliage lifted from more than USD$59 million in 2012 to almost USD$90 million last year.

A recent survey undertaken by Flower Industry Australia showed 63 per cent of respondents had noticed a downturn in sales, while 23 per cent noted no discernible change.

FIA chief executive Anna Jabour said industry was feeling the pinch of cost of living pressure, with florists particularly affected.

“I haven’t heard anyone say they’ve had an uplift in the past few months, and that doesn’t help when you’re battling cost of living,” Ms Jabour said.

Flower Industry Australia chief executive officer Anna Jabour said cost of living was affecting growers in different ways. Picture: Mark Stewart

“When people are making cutbacks, this industry is definitely feeling it. It doesn’t help and it’s super frustrating to see all the premiers and the Prime Minister going on about the supermarkets, cracking down, but what does that mean for the consumer?”