Producing 350 million stems annually across 420 hectares

Utopía Farms has established itself as one of Ecuador’s leading flower companies, producing 350 million stems annually across 420 hectares spread over 12 farms in Pichincha. The company grows 34 species, including roses, lilies, asters, sunflowers, and gypsophila, and exports 100% of its production to 35 international destinations, primarily the United States, Europe, and Colombia.

In 2025, the company recorded revenues of US$129.5 million, according to the Superintendencia de Compañías, Valores y Seguros, and currently employs 5,000 people. Its operation integrates production, genetics, and logistics, allowing it to control multiple stages of the supply chain.

Gypsophila, commonly known as baby’s breath, is one of its core specialties and accounts for 20% of production, with around 75 million stems per year. The company has also developed its own variety, Overtime, whose genetics are registered in Europe, the United States, and other markets. According to the company, it can achieve a vase life of up to 40 days after cutting.

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Utopía Farms’ recent history was shaped by the pandemic. Before 2020, the operation covered 180 hectares and employed 1,000 workers. The closure of markets caused losses of US$15 million and cut the workforce in half. Sunshine Bouquet subsequently acquired the farms and invested US$60 million between 2020 and 2022 in new land and infrastructure.

Rubén Orozco, who joined the company two decades ago and took over as general manager in 2016, attributes part of the growth to a commitment to quality. “You can harvest fewer stems, as long as the flowers meet all the characteristics needed to surprise the end consumer on the other side of the world,” he says.

The company also maintains quality control processes that simulate transport and destination conditions to assess flower durability and continuously improve quality.

Source: www.forbes.com.ec