It has been a hot summer in Italy. But what does that mean for the flowers cultivated there and the demand? Luca Del Vigna of Flora Toscana, a cooperative of growers based in Pescia in Tuscany explains how some articles thrived while others did perform less. But all in all, growers seem to be pleased.
High temperatures and production
According to Del Vigna, their typical crops for the summer period, namely Limonium Sinuatym, Sinesis and Altaica, thrived. “The weather advanced these kind of articles. The quantities are higher and the prices are around 15% higher than usual during this time of the year.” But they received fewer requests for chrysanthemums, gerberas and lilies. “With the high temperatures, the flowers last less long.”
Fewer flowers for weddings
Also for weddings, where flowers are one of the main components in Italian weddings, the demand for flowers has been lower than last year and pre-covid years, he explains. “June was even better than July and August.”
Pleased growers
But the growers seem to be pleased with the season so far. “Like everyone, they are dealing with increased production costs, but due to the higher prices of their main products they are still pleased. And September will again be a more busy month, not as strong as it used to be, but that’s probably also due to the current high temperatures.” And the next important period coming up as All Saints' Day, on November 1, is widely celebrated with Chrysanthemums in Italy. “Our grower partners will be producing millions of Chrysanthemums for this holiday.”
How will production develop in the future?
Del Vigna: “If this kind of heat will keep also in the next years the production will probably be different. They will produce flowers that last more in summer time like Limonium.”
For more information
Flora Toscana
Email: [email protected]
www.floratoscana.it