Yunnan flower exports maintain growth

Yunnan, China’s leading producer and exporter of fresh-cut flowers, reached another export milestone in 2025, with exports totaling RMB 1.22 billion (USD 170 million), up 60.5 percent year on year. This marks the seventh consecutive year the province has ranked first nationwide in flower exports. Nationally, China’s flower exports totaled USD 579 million in 2025, with fresh-cut flowers accounting for USD 228 million, an increase of 44.3 percent year on year. Yunnan-grown blooms are now exported to 64 countries and regions across Southeast Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East and Europe, including Malaysia, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

The export growth reflects Yunnan’s natural and industrial advantages, including 130,000 hectares of flower cultivation and an industry valued in the multiple billions of yuan. The province produces roughly seven out of every ten fresh-cut flowers sold in China. Dedicated green channels at Kunming Changshui International Airport, combined with round-the-clock customs clearance, allow freshly harvested flowers to move from farm to freight aircraft in under 20 hours, within the industry’s widely cited 36-hour freshness window for international shipments.

© IFEX Kunming

As global demand for flowers continues to grow, the IFEX Kunming International Flowers & Plants Expo is scheduled to take place September 18–20, 2026, bringing together growers, breeders and buyers to discuss new varieties, technology and cross-border trade. Building on its 2025 edition, the exhibition will span 80,000 square meters and cover four sectors: flowers, coffee, tropical plants and berries. More than 600 exhibitors are expected to take part, with an estimated 45,000 trade buyers anticipated to attend.

This year’s edition designates the Netherlands and Colombia as Official Countries of Honor, alongside national pavilions from Thailand, Malaysia and other flower-producing economies. Exhibitors expected to attend include Legro, Van Egmond, Prime Flowers, Vince Mark, Schreurs, Deliflor, Pindstrup, Rijkland, De Ruiter, Van den Berg, Hasfarm, Florensis, Chrysal, BVB, Armada, Red Peony, Ridder, Van Iperen, NaanDanJain, Hortimed, Holex, Floricultura, Priva, Hoogendoorn, Anthura and Jiff, among others.

The event includes two programs aimed at supporting cross-border buyers. The Yunnan Flowers Export Zone offers direct sourcing opportunities with growers based in the province, while the Yunnan Flowers Going Global International Forum features presentations on export policy, customs compliance, taxation, market trends and logistics. Together, these programs are intended to give visiting buyers access to Chinese flower growers, international breeding companies, and suppliers of tropical plants, berries and specialty coffee within a single visit.

Described by the organizers as Asia’s leading integrated floral trade exhibition, IFEX Kunming 2026 is intended to serve as a platform for sourcing, technology exchange and industry partnerships within the global floriculture sector. The exhibition will be held at Hall 4-10 of the Kunming Dianchi International Convention & Exhibition Center in China, with pre-registration currently open to buyers, media and trade professionals.

Registration is available here.