China exported US$62.06 million worth of flowers in the first
eight months of this year, representing a growth of 34.5 percent on
the same period of last year, sources with the General
Administration of Customs said on Saturday.
The sources said sales to Japan, the European Union, the
Republic of Korea and ASEAN members grew rapidly while those to the
United States and Hong Kong declines. The six regions accounted for
93.4 percent of China's total flower exports.
Between January and August, China sold 19.26 million U.S.
dollars worth of flowers to Japan, up 45 percent year-on-year, and
16.98 million dollars worth to the EU, up 47.6 percent.
Exports to the ROK stood at 9.03 million U.S. dollars worth in
the eight-month period, up 79.8 percent, and those to ASEAN members
at 5.74 million dollars worth, up 71.4 percent.
Meanwhile, the Chinese mainland exported 3.61 million U.S.
dollars worth of flowers to Hong Kong, down 29.7 percent, and 3.33
million U.S. dollars worth to the United States, down 22.5
percent.
The sources said China ranked first in the world in terms of
flower production, but its exports accounted for only two percent
of the world's total.
The low exports are attributable to unstable quality, low
growing technology, high transport cost and lack of professionals
and technicians, according to the sources.
(Xinhua News Agency November 24, 2007)
