Ukraine grower replaces tomatoes with flowers as greenhouse economics change

A greenhouse grower near Zaporizhzhia has gradually replaced tomatoes and cucumbers with chrysanthemums, lisianthus and tulips after finding that flowers could generate better returns and allow the greenhouses to be used throughout the year.

The farm now operates 1.2 hectares of plastic tunnel greenhouses, producing cut flowers and planting material. The transition started with a small chrysanthemum trial planted after an early tomato crop. After the first season, the grower concluded that flowers could be more profitable than vegetables and gradually expanded production.

The decision was based on production economics. In a 500-square-metre plastic greenhouse, tomatoes can produce around 5–7 tonnes over six to seven months, but prices can fall sharply when field-grown tomatoes enter the market. The same area can accommodate around 16,000–20,000 chrysanthemum plants, with a production cycle of about four to five months. At an average wholesale price of around UAH 50 (€1.07) per flower, the potential turnover is significantly different.

Flower production also requires substantial investment. Planting material for 500 square metres of chrysanthemums costs approximately €3,600–3,800, according to the grower.

Chrysanthemums are now the farm’s main crop, with around 200 varieties grown. The assortment is regularly adjusted according to demand. Lisianthus required more experimentation because there was little production information available in Ukraine when the farm started growing it. Before the full-scale war, the farm supplied approximately 40% of the Ukrainian lisianthus market, according to the grower.

The farm has also developed a year-round production cycle. Lisianthus is harvested from May to mid-September, followed by chrysanthemums, while tulips are grown during winter. Around 100,000 tulips can be produced on 500 square metres.

The grower says diversification is important because the flower market can also face periods of oversupply and falling prices. The Ukrainian market also competes with flowers imported from the Netherlands.

At the same time, the farm has expanded beyond growing flowers by selling planting material, providing consultations and training other producers.

Source: agrotimes.ua