In bloom: China’s flower markets boom towards a bright future

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Flowers in bloom during this year’s Spring Festival have brought about a bright start to the year for plant sellers in Shanghai.

Business at Shanghai’s largest flower market in Pudong’s Zhuqiao Town has gone particularly well during the Lunar New Year. /CCTV Photo

Among the many crowded and colorful flower fairs and markets across the country, Shanghai’s largest flower market in Pudong’s Zhuqiao Town has seen business blossom during the Lunar New Year, with some vendors making as much as 50,000-60,000 yuan (US 10,000 dollars) per day by selling more than 2,000 moth orchids.

Moth orchids have proved very popular at the market. / CCTV Photo

“Business these days is so good that I even didn’t manage to go home for the holidays,” said Guo Along, one of many vendors at the market.

The period from December to the Lantern Festival is regarded as the peak time for locals and tourists alike to visit the market, buying flowers not only to decorate their homes but also to give to other family members and friends as gifts.

CCTV Photo

“I’ll spend about 300 to 500 yuan (US 80 dollars) on flowers every Spring Festival,” said a customer surnamed Li.

The most popular flowers and plants at the moment in Shanghai are moth orchids, azaleas and lilies, according to reports. “Customers love these flowers in particular because of a relatively longer flowering period and a brighter color,” said Guo. “And the weather this winter is very suitable for them, as it is not that cold.”

CCTV Photo

60 percent of some 700 flower sellers at the market are locals, selling more than 3,000 species of different flowers. The market was relocated to its current new site last year, putting it in close proximity to Pudong International Airport, making the imported flowers fresher than before.

With an online-to-offline business model flourishing in the flower industry nowadays, many young people now book flowers online and have them delivered right to their doors. Despite the convenience of online flower ordering and delivery, the long-lasting tradition for family and friends to get together and browse their local flower market for a fresh start to the new year will surely never fade.