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Flower Production Stands at 2b

The average per capita annual consumption of cut-flowers is 100 in the world, while the figure is 10 in Iran, said Mohammad Mokhtari, managing director of Tehran Municipality’s Parks and Green Environment Organization.

At present, Iran produces 2 billion flowers a year and ranks 17th in terms of flower and plant production; but it ranks 117th in terms of export.  “As the country has a rich diversity in various species of plants and flowers, it has the potential to shine in the flower business,” he added.

On the sidelines of the 13th Tehran International Flowers Exhibition (TIFEX), held from May 11-15, educational workshops were organized to familiarize the citizens with basic aspects of growing houseplants.  This year, as in the previous years, a caravan of flowers and decorative plants went around the streets of Tehran, to provide an opportunity to enjoy the beauty of flowers to those who were not able to visit the exhibition.

Mokhtari said the total number of centers for growing plants and flowers is 10,000 across the country, and “by supporting producers we can help address the unemployment problem and create about 100,000 job opportunities.”

Also the culture of buying plants and flowers should be encouraged, as people are found to buy plants and flowers only for special occasions.

 High Quality Rose

He said in the past, it was thought that it is not possible to grow roses in hot and arid cities including Yazd and Shiraz. But thanks to private and public sectors’ support, “we are seeing that they produce the highest quality roses, which can compete with flowers produced in the Netherlands.

Annually more than 30,000 tons of damask rose (Gole Mohammadi), are grown in different parts of the country, particularly in Kashan, Isfahan Province.  Also Khuzestan and Fars Provinces are the first producers of tuberose and daffodils.

The main obstacle to flower production is lack of support to exports. Local markets are flooded with various kinds of domestically produced flowers but farmers are not able to export without support.

Currently, only 2% of flower production is exported.