The summer is the sales off-season for flowers due to the high temperature, but we still see some buyers in Hongqiao Flower Valley, a flower market in Shanghai (China). "Shanghai has a huge population and strong economy, which is an ideal place for flower consumption and new variety promotion," says Xu Bo of Hongqiao Flower Valley. In this article Bo, highlights the value of regular professional flower markets, and the potential of an international floral trade center in Shanghai.
Hongqiao Flower Valley: demand and location
"In China, online sales channels such as live-streaming are prevalent nowadays, and will definitively influence the floral industry. Yet, I believe that regular professional flower markets will continue to play a crucial role in the flower business. According to some official data, the market size of these flower markets reached $38.5 billion in 2022," Bo states.
To illustrate this demand for floricultural products, he gives an impression of the size of Hongqiao Flower Valley: "This flower market is home to more than 200 wholesale flower vendors that have been serving Shanghai for 15 years. Pot plants, bedding plants, cut flowers, and tropical plants, you name it, are all sold here. In the past three years, we saw a large increase in the market shares of foliage plants and tropical plants. And at the moment, alocasia, calathea, eucalyptus, cordyline, and asparagus are also very popular, especially young people like them. Except for flowers, this market also serves customers that are looking for pots, fertilizers, bonsai, and fruit trees. Even one-stop-shopping is possible."
According to Bo, it's not only the products on sale that make Hongqiao Flower Valley stand out, but also its location. "The flower market is located in Huaxin town, Qingpu district. It only takes 15 minutes by car to Shanghai Hongqiao train station and airport, and 30 minutes to the city center. Moreover, Huaxin town is the logistical capital of Shanghai, which allows for convenient express delivery services."
A center for international floral trade
All in all, Bo is convinced that Shanghai is an excellent location for an international floral trade center. "The Honqiao Flower Valley will include this international flower center, we are upgrading the facilities now. We already have many domestic vendors and want to attract more international brands to join us. Thanks to the excellent geographic location and strong economic conditions of Shanghai, I believe that we can provide a nice platform for flower variety promotion, consumption, and other related services.
Overseas sellers will be able to display their products all year round, and the center will allow them to easily contact potential Chinese buyers. Further, they will benefit from other activities that take place in the center such as flower arrangement competitions, as well as the restaurants and hotels. We are looking forward to cooperating with international plant suppliers from all over the world so that we can jointly develop the Chinese floral market," Bo concludes.
For more information:
Hongqiao Flower Valley
Email: [email protected]