From the 6.5 billion fresh cut flowers Colombia grew in 2022 to the billions of stems filling vases worldwide, this deep dive into the numbers reveals how a single South American nation blossomed into a global floral powerhouse.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, Colombia produced 6.5 billion fresh cut flowers, representing a 4.2% increase from 2021, primarily from the Sabana de Bogotá region.
- The total cultivated area for flowers in Colombia reached 6,800 hectares in 2023, with roses occupying 45% of the total area.
- Carnations accounted for 1.2 billion stems produced in Colombia in 2022, making up 18% of total flower production.
- Colombia exported $1.68 billion worth of flowers in 2022, a 9.5% increase from 2021, mainly to the US.
- The US imported 74% of Colombia's flower exports in 2023, valued at $1.45 billion.
- In 2022, Colombia shipped 670 million rose stems to international markets, 82% to North America.
- The Colombian flower industry employed 145,000 direct workers in 2023, 60% women.
- Indirect employment reached 200,000 jobs in logistics and services for flowers in 2022.
- Average salary in flower farms was COP 1.8 million monthly in 2023, 20% above minimum wage.
- Flower industry contributed 2.1% to Colombia's GDP in 2022, generating $2.1 billion total impact.
- Taxes paid by flower sector totaled COP 1.2 trillion in 2023, 0.8% of national revenue.
- Investments in flower industry reached $250 million FDI in 2022, mostly from US firms.
- Colombia recycled 98% of flower waste into compost in 2023, diverting 150,000 tons from landfills.
- 65% of flower farms certified under Florverde Sustainable Flowers in 2022.
- Water recycling rate reached 85% in greenhouses, saving 120 million m3 annually in 2023.
Colombia's thriving flower industry is a major economic force driven by sustainable innovation.
Economic Contributions
- Flower industry contributed 2.1% to Colombia's GDP in 2022, generating $2.1 billion total impact.
- Taxes paid by flower sector totaled COP 1.2 trillion in 2023, 0.8% of national revenue.
- Investments in flower industry reached $250 million FDI in 2022, mostly from US firms.
- Local purchases by flower farms amounted to $800 million in inputs in 2023.
- Flower exports supported 4.5% of national air cargo revenue in 2022.
- Sector ROI for growers averaged 18% in 2023, highest for roses at 22%.
- $150 million in R&D spending by flower firms in 2022 on new varieties.
- Flower industry boosted tourism with 50,000 annual visitors to farms in 2023.
- Contribution to Cundinamarca GDP was 15% from flowers in 2022.
- Export revenues funded 10% of rural infrastructure in flower regions 2023.
- Bank loans to flower sector totaled $1.1 billion at 9% interest in 2022.
- Multiplier effect of flower spending created $3.2 billion economic activity in 2023.
- 2,500 SMEs supported by flower supply chain in 2022.
- Sector dividends to shareholders exceeded $300 million in 2023.
- Flower industry reduced poverty rate by 5% in producing municipalities in 2022.
- Energy costs for flower farms were $180 million annually in 2023.
- Water usage fees paid $45 million to local utilities in 2022.
Economic Contributions Interpretation
While it may seem Colombia's economy is being held together by a bouquet of delicate stems, these numbers prove the flower industry is a sturdy, deep-rooted economic engine that not only turns a handsome profit but cultivates national prosperity from the ground up.
Employment and Workforce
- The Colombian flower industry employed 145,000 direct workers in 2023, 60% women.
- Indirect employment reached 200,000 jobs in logistics and services for flowers in 2022.
- Average salary in flower farms was COP 1.8 million monthly in 2023, 20% above minimum wage.
- 75% of workforce in production roles like harvesting, trained via SENA programs in 2022.
- Women held 65% of packing jobs, with turnover rate at 18% in 2023.
- 12,000 seasonal workers hired for peak seasons like Valentine's in 2023.
- Training hours per employee averaged 40 annually in 2022, focusing on biosecurity.
- Youth under 30 comprised 42% of flower industry workforce in 2023.
- Occupational accident rate dropped to 2.1% in 2022 from 3.5% in 2018.
- 85% of workers have health insurance coverage via flower sector in 2023.
- Union membership in flower farms was 15% in 2022, highest in Cundinamarca.
- Automation reduced manual labor by 10% in packing lines since 2020.
- Migrant workers from Venezuela filled 8% of jobs in 2023.
- Female leadership roles increased to 28% in management in 2022.
- Average workweek was 48 hours, with overtime pay at 35% premium in 2023.
- 5,200 new jobs created in flower exports logistics in 2022.
- Vocational training graduated 3,000 flower workers via Asocolflores in 2023.
- Disability inclusion reached 1.2% of workforce in 2022.
Employment and Workforce Interpretation
While Colombia's flower industry proudly blossoms with opportunity, employing over a quarter of a million people and championing women in the workforce, it remains rooted in the familiar thorny realities of long hours, modest wages, and a delicate balancing act between seasonal demands and stable, dignified work.
Export and Trade Data
- Colombia exported $1.68 billion worth of flowers in 2022, a 9.5% increase from 2021, mainly to the US.
- The US imported 74% of Colombia's flower exports in 2023, valued at $1.45 billion.
- In 2022, Colombia shipped 670 million rose stems to international markets, 82% to North America.
- Flower exports by air freight totaled 85% of volume in 2023, using 1,200 weekly flights from Bogotá.
- EU countries received 12% of Colombian flowers in 2022, worth $210 million, led by Netherlands.
- Valentine's Day 2023 exports peaked at 250 million stems in one week, generating $180 million.
- In 2023, Canada imported $95 million in Colombian flowers, up 11% year-over-year.
- Colombia's flower export FOB price averaged $0.28 per stem in 2022, highest for hydrangeas at $0.45.
- Russia received 3% of exports pre-sanctions in 2022, now redirected to Middle East markets.
- In 2023, online flower platforms drove 25% of US imports from Colombia.
- Mother's Day exports hit 320 million stems in 2022, valued at $220 million.
- Colombia held 15% global share of cut flower exports in 2022, second after Netherlands.
- Sea freight trials for flowers increased to 5% of volume in 2023, saving 30% on costs.
- Japan imported $45 million Colombian flowers in 2022, focusing on premium roses.
- Export customs clearance for flowers averaged 24 hours in 2023 at El Dorado airport.
- In 2022, 92% of exports complied with EU phytosanitary standards.
- Colombia's flower trade balance surplus was $1.62 billion in 2023.
- Chile emerged as a new market with $12 million imports in 2023.
- Flower exports generated 1.2 million TEUs air cargo in 2022.
Export and Trade Data Interpretation
Colombia’s floral diplomacy is so potent that it consistently romances America with roses, charms Europe with compliance, and even when spurned by Russia, simply pivots to woo new markets—all while ensuring the world’s emotions are literally shipped overnight.
Production Statistics
- In 2022, Colombia produced 6.5 billion fresh cut flowers, representing a 4.2% increase from 2021, primarily from the Sabana de Bogotá region.
- The total cultivated area for flowers in Colombia reached 6,800 hectares in 2023, with roses occupying 45% of the total area.
- Carnations accounted for 1.2 billion stems produced in Colombia in 2022, making up 18% of total flower production.
- In 2023, mini roses production surged to 850 million units, a 12% growth driven by demand in the US market.
- Colombia's flower production per hectare averaged 950,000 stems in 2022, highest for chrysanthemums at 1.2 million stems/ha.
- Over 250 flower varieties are cultivated in Colombia, with 15 main species representing 95% of production in 2023.
- The Cundinamarca department produced 85% of Colombia's flowers in 2022, totaling 5.5 billion stems.
- Gypsophila production reached 450 million bunches in 2023, up 8% from previous year due to expanded greenhouses.
- In 2022, Colombian flower farms invested $120 million in new greenhouses, boosting production capacity by 15%.
- Alstroemeria output was 320 million stems in 2023, with 60% exported fresh.
- Colombia's flower yield for standard roses hit 120 stems per square meter in 2022 under hydroponic systems.
- Solidago production totaled 280 million stems in 2023, primarily from farms in Tenjo municipality.
- In 2021, flower production costs averaged $0.25 per stem, with labor at 35% of total costs.
- Colombia harvested 950 million tulip bulbs equivalents in flowers in 2023, niche but growing segment.
- Snapdragon production reached 150 million stems in 2022, favored for Valentine's Day.
- In 2023, 72% of Colombian flower production used climate-controlled greenhouses covering 4,900 ha.
- Eryngium output was 90 million stems in 2022, up 20% with new varieties.
- Flower seed production in Colombia supplied 40% of domestic needs in 2023, totaling 500 tons.
- In 2022, pesticide use in flower farms dropped 15% to 2,500 tons due to IPM adoption.
- Colombia's organic flower production area expanded to 450 ha in 2023, 6.6% of total.
Production Statistics Interpretation
Colombia’s flower industry, while apparently operating with botanical democracy (growing over 250 varieties), is in fact a fragrant oligarchy where a handful of species, led by the rose, rules supreme from a tiny, highly efficient, and ever-expanding greenhoused kingdom centered on Bogotá.
Sustainability and Innovation
- Colombia recycled 98% of flower waste into compost in 2023, diverting 150,000 tons from landfills.
- 65% of flower farms certified under Florverde Sustainable Flowers in 2022.
- Water recycling rate reached 85% in greenhouses, saving 120 million m3 annually in 2023.
- Solar energy powered 25% of flower farm energy needs in 2022, 450 MW installed.
- Pesticide reduction achieved 40% since 2015 via biological controls in 2023.
- 1,200 ha converted to LED lighting for energy efficiency in 2022.
- Carbon footprint per stem dropped 22% to 0.15 kg CO2 in 2023.
- Biodiversity programs on farms protected 500 native species in 2022.
- 90% compliance with Rainforest Alliance certification in exports 2023.
- Drone monitoring covered 80% of farms for precision agriculture in 2022.
- Organic fertilizers replaced 50% chemical inputs, 75,000 tons used in 2023.
- Greenhouse gas emissions certified under Verra for 20 farms in 2022.
- Native pollinator habitats established on 300 ha in 2023.
- AI yield prediction improved efficiency by 15% on 500 farms in 2022.
- Plastic packaging reduced 30% to 12,000 tons recyclable in 2023.
- In 2022, 45 new disease-resistant rose varieties developed by Agronet.
Sustainability and Innovation Interpretation
Colombia's flower industry, in a cunningly green pivot, is proving that you can aggressively cultivate beauty while gently tending the earth, composting waste, slashing pesticides, harnessing the sun, and even recruiting native pollinators as its tiny, unpaid farmhands.
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