21 Flower Industry Statistics, Trends & Analysis

The flower industry is considered to be one of the higher industries that are in developing or undeveloped nations. Floriculture began as an industry during the late 19th century in the United Kingdom when flowers were grown on a large scale thanks to the vast estates of the wealthy at the time. Since those early days, the industry has grown into a dynamic, thriving, and global commodity that achieves significant growth rates each year.

The first year that the flower industry reached $100 billion in revenues was 1994. Although there have been down years in the past two decades, the industry has experienced 6% growth in recent years to regain a consistent trade volume above $100 billion each year since 2003.

22% of the market for the flower industry exists in Germany, whereas 15% of the revenues are typically found in the United States. France and the United Kingdom represent 10% of the market respectively as well.

Important Flower Industry Statistics

#1. The global flower industry how’s the total value of more than $104.8 billion each year. Over $26 billion is spent in the United States on floral products annually. (Sproutabl)

#2. There are over 23,000 establishments currently operating in the floral industry for the American market. Firms include wholesalers, floriculture growers, and florist retailers. (Sproutabl)

#3. About 80% of the flowers which are sold in the United States are imported from other countries. Ecuador and Columbia are the top two which export their products to the U.S. each year. For domestic flowers, California is the top provider for domestic sales. (Sproutabl)

#4. Approximately 83,000 people are employed by the flower industry in the United States each year. (Sproutabl)

#5. The total value of cut flowers is roughly $7.5 billion annually. The average annual sales for every florist shop in the United States totals over $322,000. (Sproutabl)

#6. 45% of all flowers which are grown for sale are discarded before they ever generate revenues. For the ones that are purchased by customers, 36% of them are used for home decorations. (Sproutabl)

#7. 65% of customers in the United States say that receiving flowers helps them to feel special. 60% say that they believe a gift of flowers offers a special meaning that is unlike any other gift that could be given. (Society of American Florists)

#8. 77% of customers in the United States say that people who get flowers are considered to be thoughtful individuals. 70% say that the color of the flowers chosen adds an impact to the overall gift. (Society of American Florists)

#9. 92% of women say that the best reason to receive flowers as a gift is because someone just wants to offer them without any specific meaning behind the gesture. (Society of American Florists)

#10. 89% of people say that they remember the last time that they gave someone flowers, while 77% of women say that they remember the last time someone gave them industry products. (Society of American Florists)

#11. Although fresh flowers are typically the product most associated with the flower industry, outdoor bedding and garden plants represent 46% of the revenues earned each year. (Society of American Florists)

#12. 63% of the customers who work with the flower industry say that they are purchasing products for themselves instead of as a gift. (Society of American Florists)

#13. Birthdays are the most popular reason why flowers are purchased for someone as a gift, representing 12% of the reasons or occasions for a sale. Anniversaries are a close second, also at 12%. They are followed by appreciation gifts (6%), home decoration (5%0, congratulations gifts (5%), and romance (4%) for the reasons behind a purchase. (Floral Purchase Tracking Study)

#14. 82% of the transactions that occur for all holidays in the flower industry occur during three events: Valentine’s Day (30%), Christmas and Chanukah (26%), and Mother’s Day (26%). These holidays also represent 81% of the revenues that active businesses earn throughout the year. (IPSOS)

#15. Although only 2% of the flowers that are sold each year are for Father’s Day gifts, these sales represent 4% of the total revenues the industry earns each year. (IPSOS)

#16. 64% of consumers who purchase flowers from the industry say that they are buying them for their mother, who is by far the most common recipient of industry items. Spouses represent 28% of the gifts bought each year, while 19% are headed to a mother-in-law. (IPSOS)

#17. 76% of the fresh flowers that are grown in the United States come from California. Washington comes in second, providing 6% of the total market. New Jersey and Oregon follow with 4% each respectively. (Society of American Florists)

#18. 78% of the floriculture products that are imported by the United States come from Colombia, while 15% originate in Ecuador. Only Mexico provides more than 1% of the market for all other international providers. (Society of American Florists)

#19. The average person will spend $107.89 on a purchase through the flower industry as of 2017 figures. That amount is significantly higher than the $88.12 per transactions that florists and nursery owners experienced in 2012. (U.S Bureau of Economic Analysis)

#20. 73% of Americans say that they have a high appreciation of flowers, with the younger generations being more likely to make a purchase from the industry. 76% of Millennials compared to 72% of Baby Boomers say that they love what they industry provides. (Society of American Florists)

#21. Approximately 40% of Americans say that professionals from the flower industry helped them in a current or past relationship. (Society of American Florists)

Flower Industry Trends and Analysis

Between 1950 and 1980, the flower industry saw tremendous growth thanks to rising incomes, an introduction of new markets, and a growing import-export system that made it possible to ship products globally. By 1994, the industry reached nine figures for its annual revenues for the first time. Then the growth stopped.

The reality that the flower industry must face is that it has been hovering around a net-zero growth pattern for roughly 25 years. Although the industry is still valued at more than $100 billion, it has taken consecutive years of 6% growth to achieve this restoration. There is an excellent chance that consumers may look toward other products as gifts (to others or themselves) in the next 5-year forecast period because there are more indicators of economic uncertainty on the horizon.

We believe that that flower industry will maintain a revenue level of $100 billion globally each year through 2024, but it will struggle to find areas of growth. Germany and the U.S. will continue pushing sales trends higher to help support the firms which continue to thrive in this historic business.