With a warm, tropical climate, the island of Taiwan is an ideal place for floriculture. Its central location in relation to major Asian markets also puts it in a prime position for exporting fresh cut flowers.
Flower exports from Taiwan have three major markets: Japan, Hong Kong and southeast Asia. Chrysanthemums, roses and gladiolas are the three main types of flowers sold for export. Most of these flowers are cultivated in central Taiwan, primarily the areas around Changhua, Taichung and Nantou.
Taiwan's florists began exporting in the sixties. Their first market was Hong Kong. As Hong Kong lacks the land area needed for floriculture, exporters to the area did a booming business. At that time, 80-90% of all fresh cut roses purchased in Hong Kong were from Taiwan.
The second market to open, and that with the fastest growth was Japan. As winters in Japan are cold, heated greenhouses are needed for flower cultivation. Energy shortages made floriculture expensive and unprofitable, stimulating imports from Taiwan.
The Japanese market was expanded further by a new process which improved the quality of chrysanthemums. Chrysanthemum buds will continue to grow in size when given adequate light. In the winter, without as much sun, the small buds will open before the flower has had a chance to grow large. When artificial lighting was provided, the buds were able to grow without opening prematurely. After 90 days the light was cut off, and the buds opened into huge, lovely chrysanthemums. At the adoption of this method for improving chrysanthemum quality, sales in Japan increased to 100,000 flowers per day.
The last market to open for flower exports was southeast Asia. But because this area had not yet developed a floriculture industry itself, demand was considerable and steady.
The early years were a time of prosperity for Taiwan's flower exporters. To help further this success, the government Department of Agriculture and Forestry began counselling florists in methods of flower cultivation.
Certain areas were specially designated for floriculture development: T'ienwei County for chrysanthemum cultivation, Fengyuan for roses, and Houli for gladiolas. Specialists in cultivation methods and pesticides were hired to provide guidance and undergo research. Model cultivation areas were chosen to be studied and emulated.
Improved methods led to increased exports and rising incomes for florists, who moved out of their sparse dwellings into well-furnished apartments with modern utilities and appliances.
The export flower industry's decline began around 1980, when an excess in exports led to a flooded market and fierce competition. Price wars further led to a decline in quality.
Outside factors also contributed to the decline in exports. In Hong Kong flowers from Holland, Israel and Columbia entered the market to intensify competition. In southeast Asia, countries such as Singapore began cultivating flowers themselves. The Japanese government's policies for encouraging floriculture in Japan created a major blow to Taiwan exporters. Japanese growers were given government subsidies for building heated greenhouses and shipping cut flowers abroad. Flower imports to Japan were hampered by strict checks in which all flowers showing signs of disease or insects had to be smoked before entering.
Solutions were eventually sought to face these problems. In September of 1982 the Board of Foreign Trade adopted the Flower Exports Adjustment Plan, which was administered by the Association of Cut Flower Exporters. Under the plan, exporters began registering the quantity and type of their flowers, and the date on which they would be ready for export. Flower exports could then be adjusted according to market demand, making for greater stabilization in the industry.
Another solution was to further improve the quality of the flowers, which would in turn make them more competitive on the market, and increase selling prices. Lin Ming-te, president of the Chia Hsin trading company involved in exporting fresh cut flowers to Japan, provides an example of growing concerns for quality. In order to stabilize quality, Lin writes up set contracts with flower cultivators, and outlines strict requirements for cultivation. Seed type, planting times and every detail of the growing process are to be strictly adhered to.
Lin's contracted growers are equally concerned with excellence, and work diligently to improve their product. Most outstanding is Wu Sheng-hsiung, who not only cultivates, but also studies his flowers, diligently recording their growth patterns.
Lin also requires that each stem on his chrysanthemums be 85 centimeters in length. The buds must similarly meet size requirements. Before shipping, the flowers are covered with a white net and placed in cardboard boxes for protection.
Lin's perfectionism had astounding results, and won particular prestige in 1983 in the city of Osaka. Earnings that winter reached US$250,000.
Another company involved in the revival and stabilization of the fresh cut flower business is the Tung Sung Company, which exports primarily to Hong Kong. Li Tung-p'ing, president of the company, in addition to working for improvements in quality, has gone further to offer a larger number of flower varieties in response to buyers' continual desire for new products. Other companies leading the way in stabilizing the Hong Kong market include Ch'ingyi and Meikuei.
Improved flower quality, careful wrapping and greater variety have helped to partially revive declining exports. But the costs of such innovations are high, and cut deeply into profits. Another heavy expense is in transporting the flowers. While air shipment is time-saving and assures that flowers maintain their freshness, it is also costly. Shipment by sea is less costly, but too time-consuming for fresh cut flowers to remain fresh.
Troubled by the problem of high shipping expenses, the Department of Agriculture and Forestry asked the Taiwan Agriculture Research Institute to do research in maintaining flowers' freshness. The result was the development of a successful method for keeping cut flowers fresh for longer periods of time, allowing for them to be shipped by sea rather than air. By this method, flowers are grown temporarily in a special preservative solution. After cutting, cotton soaked in the solution is used to cover the cut area. Next, the flowers are cooled, and treated with insecticides. Such a process insures that the flowers will survive the shipping process without wilting.
In 1983 the research group in Houli made successful use of this method of preservation. Flowers grown at the Chengchia farm and treated for preservation before shipment fetched high prices on the Japanese market. That year's total exports reached US$4,500,000, 2.6 times larger than the US$1,700,000 of the previous year.
While things are looking up for Taiwan's flower exporters, floriculture on Taiwan still holds many latent possibilities. The Department of Agriculture and Forestry is now promoting the cultivation of new types of flowers such as the carnation, and the development of Taiwan's native flowers such as the single-leaf lily. Professor Li Nien of National Taiwan University states that with proper techniques and professional management, cultivation of the tropical butterfly orchid could also be developed on Taiwan.
Other methods for packaging, marketing and development will also be used to bring out the industry's latent possibilities. Modern factories will provide mechanized cutting, wrapping and packaging, and a high level wholesale market is soon to be established. With the recent opening of direct air travel between Taipei and Amsterdam, Taiwan will work with florists and businessmen from Holland, the "king of flowers", to bring in new floriculture techniques. With the cooperation of both cultivators and exporters, in the coming years Taiwan could very well become the Holland of the East.
(Jill Ardourel)
[Picture Caption]
1. It is said that the Tang dynasty Empress Wu (625-705 A.D.) once warmed flowers during the cold winter and caused them to bloom. If the legend is true, one can say that the Empress was the pioneer of fresh flower cultivation techniques. 2. Lovely, delicate flowers such as these carnations are a delight to the eye, and a profit-maker as well.
1. The healthy petals of this chrysanthemum represent the care and attention of its cultivator. 2. T'uwei township in Changhua County is famous for fresh flower cultivation. A sea of chrysanthemums makes a grand sight. 3. The wholesale flower market on Chiuch'uan Road attracts a crowd of flower-lovers.
1. Flowers like the carnation are particularly delicate. Plastic tents are set up to protect them from harsh sun, wind and rain. 2. Chrysanthemum buds are given artificial lighting at night, which allows them to grow without opening prematurely. 3,4. Tiny flowers such as babies' breath are favored on the local market, and have recently entered foreign markets as well.
1. Improved Strains of the sunflower, with longer stems and larger flowers, are now exported in small quantities. 2. The rose is the vanguard of Taiwan's flower exports, which now make up over half of the Hong Kong market. 3. Gladiolas waiting for export. Their buds will probably not open until they reach their destination.
Some varieties may be exported as dried or fresh-cut flowers.
2. Lovely, delicate flowers such as these carnations are a delight to the eye, and a profit-maker as well.
1. The healthy petals of this chrysanthemum represent the care and attention of its cultivator.
2. T'uwei township in Changhua County is famous for fresh flower cultivation. A sea of chrysanthemums makes a grand sight.
3. The wholesale flower market on Chiuch'uan Road attracts a crowd of flower-lovers.
1. Flowers like the carnation are particularly delicate. Plastic tents are set up to protect them from harsh sun, wind and rain.
2. Chrysanthemum buds are given artificial lighting at night, which allows them to grow without opening prematurely.
3,4. Tiny flowers such as babies' breath are favored on the local market, and have recently entered foreign markets as well.
3,4. Tiny flowers such as babies' breath are favored on the local market, and have recently entered foreign markets as well.
1. Improved Strains of the sunflower, with longer stems and larger flowers, are now exported in small quantities.
2. The rose is the vanguard of Taiwan's flower exports, which now make up over half of the Hong Kong market.
3. Gladiolas waiting for export. Their buds will probably not open until they reach their destination.
Some varieties may be exported as dried or fresh-cut flowers.
