As Australians, we have a deep appreciation for the beauty of nature, and nothing quite captures that sentiment like a vibrant bouquet. Whether it’s for a special occasion, a heartfelt gift, or simply to brighten up the home, flowers have a way of speaking to our souls. However, a concerning truth lies behind the colourful petals and lush greenery that adorn our supermarket aisles. It’s a truth that could change the way you look at those conveniently priced bouquets.
Flower Industry Australia (FIA) has raised the alarm, claiming that imported blooms now account for about half of Australia’s flower market, with supermarkets being the primary outlet for these overseas varieties. While the price tags on these flowers may seem appealing, especially with the current cost-of-living pressures, there’s a hidden cost that isn’t reflected on the price tag or the packaging.
Many of these imported flowers come from countries where labour is cheap, and human rights records are questionable. To make matters worse, these blooms are often treated with toxic chemicals for biosecurity reasons. However, neither the origin of the flowers nor the use of these chemicals is required to be disclosed to the customer. This lack of transparency is a thorn in the side of local growers, who have been struggling to compete with the influx of cheaper, imported flowers.
The journey of these imported flowers is a long one, with many coming from countries like Kenya, Ecuador, China, Malaysia, and Colombia. The FIA estimates that in the 2022–23 period, Australia’s cut flower imports reached a staggering $103 million in value, a significant increase from the $73 million recorded in 2019. The low labour costs and opaque supply chains in these countries contribute to the competitive pricing of imported flowers, but at what cost?
Anna Jabour, the chief executive of FIA, points out that the local flower industry has been wilting under the pressure of these imports. Over the past two decades, there has been a 40% decrease in flower growers in Australia, with rose growers being particularly hard hit. Jabour shares stories of workers in the import factories being paid as little as five cents a stem to put together bunches, a price point that local growers simply cannot match.
Before these imported flowers reach Australian shores, they are subjected to a controversial treatment involving glyphosate, a widely debated weedkiller. Australian biosecurity regulations mandate that certain flowers and foliage, including roses, chrysanthemums, and carnations, be soaked in this herbicide for 20 minutes. This process, known as devitalisation, is intended to prevent the introduction of diseases and ensure that the plants cannot propagate in the environment. Additionally, the flowers are treated with methyl bromide before being boxed and air-freighted to Australia.
While the federal Department of Agriculture assures that the use of these chemicals is safe due to regulation, both internationally and domestically, the fact that it’s not mandatory to inform customers of this treatment is a cause for concern. Supermarkets like Coles and Woolworths adhere to labelling requirements, but these do not include notifying customers about the chemical treatments the flowers have undergone.
The labelling of supermarket flowers is in a state of limbo. While food products in Australia must adhere to country of origin labelling, no such requirement exists for commercial cut flowers. Local growers have been advocating for change for two decades, but their efforts have seen little progress. The last government review in 2020 decided against expanding the labelling system to include non-food products.
Kathy Sheeran, a grower in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, emphasises the disadvantage this puts the industry in. She suggests that florists could offer customers a choice by having separate sections for Australian-grown and imported flowers. To promote local blooms, FIA has introduced green and gold rubber bands to help identify them. Sheeran has adopted this practice and is educating customers on the benefits of choosing fresh, spray-free, and local flowers, even if they come at a slightly higher price.
The call for transparency is loud and clear. Consumers and florists have a right to know what they’re buying and where it comes from. The chemical treatment process may be necessary for biosecurity, but the lack of information leaves customers in the dark about what they’re bringing into their homes and potentially handling.
Do you feel informed about where your flowers come from and the chemicals they may carry? How do you make your flower-buying decisions—by price, appearance, or supporting local growers? Share your experiences and opinions in the comments below. Your voice matters in creating more transparency in the flower industry!
