Billion Dollar Flower Market

The Flower industry is a billionaire global business. The Netherlands is the world’s most advanced flower producer and controls the market. Nearly all of the flowers that the United Kingdom buy are from abroad and it’s the Dutch. But there’s a chink in the Dutch armour and the Brits are fighting back. This documentary follows florist Geoff, who learned Dutch and buys directly at the flower auctions in Holland, passing on savings to his loyal customers back home. We meet a new generation of British florists including 21-year-old Jay, whose new business is booming because of a dedication to using quirky homegrown British buds for her luscious event displays. Florists like Jay are even helping keep the world famous flower market Covent Garden in cheeky rude health. And it’s not only them. Our high street supermarket giants have realized growing business opportunities, spotting how to encourage shoppers to fill their trollies with homegrown Sweet Williams sourced from local super grower Mark. And we reveal just how florist Rob did it to create his huge flower display outside London’s National Portrait Gallery. Our own humble British flowers and enterprising British florists are on a roll, the Dutch aren’t having it all their own way

• Category

  Non-profits & Activism