Dry Flower Industry

Indian floriculture industry has been shifting from traditional flowers to cut flowers and dry flowers for export purposes. The liberalized economy has given an impetus to the Indian entrepreneurs for establishing export oriented floriculture units under controlled climatic conditions. About 60000 ha area is under floriculture at present.

During nineties, increasing demands for flowers in world market was coupled with production technology available abroad for high flowers. This encouraged some entrepreneurs to establish export-oriented units in Hyderabad, especially for the production of long stem rose by importing cultivators and Green House technology.

Dry Flower Market
The most promising area in floriculture is the dry flower industry. Dried flowers and plants have been exported for the last 40 years and today, India is one of the leading countries in the field. Export of dried flowers and plants from India is about Rs 100 crore per year. The industry exports 500 varieties of flowers to 20 countries and are highly in demand in USA and UK markets. The potpourri variety of dried flowers is a purely export oriented and has specialized processing units.

India, with its vast resources, varied products and experience in the field of dried flowers and plants enjoy a distinct advantage. In Andhra Pradesh there is abundant availability of raw material required for dry flower making.

Dried flower products are in very high demand and adds an enriched value to the flourishing industry. Various types of dry flower products are handmade paper, lampshades, wall quilt, decorations, books, candle holders, etc. The flower arrangements including dried samples of cone, foliage, bulbrushes, flowers like rose buds, lilies and plant material enhances the beauty of dry flowers, adding more export value to this industry.

New technologies are helping plants to produce flowers perennially. Tissue culture is being used for mass multiplication of top quality plants. The production of hybrid seeds has led to high yielding varieties that grow at a very fast rate.

Australian Dry Flower Industry
Australia is now an integral part of the expanding world flower trade, which in 2000 was worth an estimated US$7 billion. Australia's potential for exporting flowers lies in its unique native flora. The true value of the Australian export industry is not clearly defined but is likely to be around 50 million dollar per annum. Australian flowers account for around 95 %. Domestically and internationally, the industry is recognised for its strict production standards, a sophisticated supply chain and high quality products.

NSW Dry Flower Industry
The New South Wales flower industry has an estimated farm gate value of 202.7 million dollar, with most produce selling on the domestic market. Native and South African flowers account for about 10-15 % of total domestic sales.

Production Area
Flowers are grown on a global scale. The biggest flower growing nations are the Netherlands, Colombia, Kenya and Israel, but many other countries like India, South Africa, Ecuador and Malaysia are now investing in the industry. These flowers are transported to several countries where they are dried and used as dried flowers.

In India, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad, and Kolkatta have emerged as major dry flowers industries in recent times. The demands for dry flower is also met through production at coastal areas of Nalgonda, Medak, and in the West Godavari.

The other countries having a name in the dry flower industry are Europe, Japan, Taiwan, UK, Hongkong, and Australia.

Transportation
Dried flowers are transported in boxes. They are placed flat in boxes and this enables large amounts of flowers to be packed in small spaces like aircraft holds. Some flowers are sent to packing companies who grade the flowers and arrange them in bunches for sale onto supermarkets.