An air train of cargo jets will deliver over 100 million flowers and ornaments. A rise of 50% in the prices of flowers has been noted in Europe due to the hard winter experienced recently
The Israeli Flower Growers Association reported last week that an air train of cargo jets will deliver over 100 million flowers and ornaments weighing more than 5,000 tons to Europe for St. Valentine’s Day.
Valentine's Day which falls this year on February 14th is considered one of the high seasons for flower exports from Israel, following Easter and Christmas.
According to the association's secretary-general, Haim Hadad, the most wanted flower colors are white, pink and red.
The proceeds of the Israeli overseas flower markets on Valentine's Day will total approximately NIS 150 million. A rise of 50% in the prices of flowers, compared to last year's prices, has been noted in Europe due to the hard winter experienced recently.
Hadad added that in aggregate, Israel's flower, plant and propagation-material export brings upward of $200 million into the economy annually. The country is third only to the Netherlands and Kenya in supplying the European Union with its flowers.
Each year 1.5 billion stems are exported, double from only 10 years ago - while the number of growers engaging in export has dropped by 75%. The system, along with the growers, has simply become more efficient.
Most of the flowers will be flown out this year to Germany, France, Britain, Holland, Belgium, the USA & Russia.
