How did airfreight change international competition in the flower industry?

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horticulture Interior of a commercial horticultural greenhouse.

The development of airfreight has significantly intensified both interregional and international competition within the floriculture industry.

Because flowers are highly perishable, they traditionally required rapid and reliable transportation to reach markets in fresh condition. The advent of airfreight technology removed geographic barriers, allowing flowers to be grown in regions with more favorable climates—such as those with milder temperatures and increased sunlight—and shipped over long distances. Consequently, these imported products can now arrive at their destination in fresh condition, directly competing with locally grown flowers in wholesale markets.1