Our best-read articles of 2024

The new year has started, but before looking forward to what 2025 has to offer, we would like to reflect on 2024. What were the most popular topics? Which articles were the best read?

In short, we see that our photo reports of the IFPA, IPM Essen, Expo Flor Ecuador, FlowerTrials, CAST, Cultivate, IFTEX, and the IFTF scored very well. This also counts for the daily update articles that were published during the photo reports.

Unfortunately, several sad stories also ranked among our most-read articles, including the layoffs at Sun Valley, which issued notices to all its employees in both Arcata and Oxnard. (On a side note, Continental Floral Greens is now leasing Sun Valley Floral Farms' Willow Creek, California farms). Other impactful occurrences included the reported €17 million loss by Royal FloraHolland, the discontinuation of operations by Skagit Horticulture LLC on April 7th, 2024, and the passing of industry figures David van Wingerden and James Durr.

Fortunately, positive developments also garnered significant attention. Among company updates, the article about Dümmen Orange's new strategy, new owners, and new CEO claimed the top spot on our list as the most-read article. Also, the announcement that Beekenkamp Group and Dümmen Orange explore closer collaboration was read well. Other highlights included the 20th anniversary of CosMic Plants and their new ownership structure, Costa Farms' acquisition of Battlefield Farms, and the 30th anniversary of Dalat Hasfarm.

Trends and innovations captured significant attention too, including the steady growth of ocean flower shipments, advancements in air control technologies, emerging floral trends, and the debut of exciting new varieties. Notable introductions included Joybera, Schoneveld Breeding's first gerbera; Superstition, a rose from Continental Breeding that boasts having it all, including the color of the year; and Barolo, an impressive addition from NIRP.

So - are you ready? Here we go. Below are the 50 best-read articles of 2024*.

1. New strategy, new owners and new CEO for Dümmen Orange
2. US (CA): Sun Valley Floral Farms issues layoff notices to entire workforce in Arcata and Oxnard
3. Photo Report: IFPA 2024 - Flower Companies
4. Beekenkamp Group and Dümmen Orange explore closer collaboration
5. What will be the 2024 floral trends?
6. US: Cut flower ocean shipments continue to surge
7. Why do people give each other yellow flowers on March 21 in Mexico?
8. Photo report IPM Essen 2024
9. In memoriam David van Wingerden
10. CosMic Plants celebrates 20th anniversary and new ownership structure
11. Photo report Expo Flor Ecuador
12. "A technology that can do so much with just a little bit of air control"
13. Costa Farms acquires Battlefield Farms
14. "A world premiere at IPM 2024"
15. IPM Essen is on!
16. "It is remarkable to see how innovation and perseverance resulted in a thriving sustainable enterprise"
17. Royal FloraHolland hit with €17M loss
18. Photo report: FlowerTrials 2024
19. Taiwan: Celebrating unity and diversity at the 23rd WOC and 20th TIOS
20. 40th edition of the IPM Essen comes to an end
21. India: High-value peony to be grown locally in Palampur
22. A look at the upcoming flower trends of 2025
23. James Durr passed away
24. NL: King Charles III Tulipa in flower at Keukenhof and at Monty Don's Longmeadow
25. Photo Report California Spring Trials 2024
26. Photo report: Cultivate 2024
27. US (FL): Study unlocks control methods against invasive thrips parvispinus
28. Highlights from Trade Fair Aalsmeer
29. "This rose has it all, including the color of the year"
30. Kenya: IFTEX 2024 breaks records
31. China: Guangzhou International Flower Festival 2024 to be bigger again
32. "It will revive the gerbera market"
33. "Young people are going to be the main consumers"
34. US (WA): Skagit Horticulture LLC discontinues operations April 7th, 2024
35. Schoneveld breeding won Japan Flower of the year 2023-2024 with 'Illusia'
36. Despite challenging market, positive atmosphere at IPM Essen
37. USDA approval for bioluminescent petunias
38. "Never in the floral industry roses have had the chance to express themselves"
39. Suntory Flowers granted patents for orange and yellow Mandevillas
40. Expo Flor Ecuador has come to an end
41. Flowers rock the Grammys
42. It's Valentine's Day!
43. "The Chinese calla market has advanced over the past decade"
44. NIRP International and Timaflor cheers to Barolo
45. What's behind the smiles?
46. The Armenian story of sweets and roses
47. "We are amongst the first in the UK to propagate 100% peat free"
48. First ever single-flowered alstroemeria grown by Dutch grower
49. Westhoff and Dümmen Orange end licensing agreement for unrooted cuttings
50. IFTF 2024 comes to an end