Flower growing is a relatively new field in Ecuador, which has mostly developed during the last two decades. Commercial growing of flowers for export began in the late seventies and developed during the eighties and nineties. The first growers were chrysanthemum and carnation growers. Due to Ecuador´s unique climatic conditions and market demand, roses quickly became the main crop. Out of about 4.000 hectares of flowers currently grown in Ecuador, about 2.500 are roses.

Economics

• Ecuador is the first exporter of fresh cut roses in the world, followed closely by Colombia.
  
  
• In the past 10 years the annual growth rate of flower exports has been about 20%, five times the annual growth rate of the ecuadorian economy as a whole.
  
  
• In 2004, flowers is the most important nontraditional export product, and the third export activity in the country.
  
  
• Ecuador exports flowers to 72 different markets worldwide.
  
  
• Total investment in the flower sector is over one billion dollars.

People

• There are more than 60.000 workers on flower farms and more than 100.000 people that work in businesses directly related to floriculture.
  
  
• 240.000 people depend exclusively on the income generated by this activity.
  
  
• The average income in this activity is the highest in the agricultural and agroindustrial sectors in Ecuador. The GDP per capita in floricultural areas is superior to $5.000, almost twice the national average; the flower industry has limited migration from the Ecuadorian countryside to the cities and abroad, which has dislocated families and rural lifestyles. It can be said that the flower industry has contributed to the overall improvement of living conditions in rural areas of Ecuador. Where there are flowers, there are families living together.
  
  
• The investment in training of employees is estimated at 8% of total expenditures, far above the national average (0,5 %).
  
  
• Our activity is the highest technology diffuser in the agricultural sector.

Environment

• Most of the growers are affiliated to strict international certification programs such as, Veriflora, and others.
  
  
• Due to the fact that ecuadorian growers do not use heated greenhouses, the carbon sequestration rate of rose plantations is actually positive and contributes to reducing global warming.
  
  
• The use of drip irrigation and composting has greatly reduced water and pesticide use, and has minimized the impact on the environment, as compared to other large scale traditional activities.