News » 09.07.2025 - Australia: Looking at the hidden costs of imported flowers

While Australia's best receive a beautiful bunch of blooms for all the greatest occasions, the looming secret about where they come from is unknown to most. Yet, it isn't unknown to residents in Monbulk, as it's where the majority of the Australian flower trade exists.

Monbulk is deemed the "flower capital" of Victoria, where locals all around are proud of that fact. However, the looming presence of flowers imported from overseas is putting a damper on the local industry.

According to Flower Industry Australia's data, roughly 50 percent of the flowers sold in Australia are imported. The flowers usually come from countries such as Kenya, Ecuador, China, Malaysia and Colombia. Here, workers have fewer rights, meaning lower costs for labour. The flowers are flown in every day and have to pass Australia's strict biosecurity laws, the laws of which these flowers are at a higher risk of breaking. Despite the long process these flowers go through, they are still cheaper than a bunch grown in Monbulk, with the price of a stem being 14 cents compared to the $4 local stem.

"It's a shame that we're able to bring stuff in cheaper than what it costs a grower here and that definitely has an impact on a number of crops and a number of people that I know, for sure," flower farmer Greg Van Berkel said
 

Source:www.floraldaily.com

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