Decades after the Northern Territory’s Department of Primary Industries initiated a trial to cultivate tropical cut flowers in the mid-1980s, the future of the Top End’s cut flower industry is under threat. Once boasting around 40 growers, the industry now sees only five remaining, with many on the verge of retirement.
Jan Hintze, an 80-year-old flower grower who has been part of the industry since its inception, expressed concerns about its viability. She noted that the majority of current growers, like herself, are elderly, and the industry is at risk of fading away with their retirement.
The decline in the number of growers is attributed to various challenges, primarily the shrinking market size as flowers are no longer being sold interstate. Mrs. Hintze highlighted the impact of increased air freight costs in the early 2000s, which soared from $1.20 per kilo to $3.50. This rendered the business unprofitable for many growers, leading to a significant drop in production.
“Previously, 90 per cent of our production would go to wholesalers in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane,” Mrs. Hintze explained. “But the air freight costs went from $1.20 per kilo to $3.50, and it was impossible to make a profit, so many growers dropped off.”
The current weekly flower sales, which used to reach $20,000, have plummeted to just under $1,000, further illustrating the economic challenges faced by the industry.
Despite the dwindling number of growers, local florists in the Darwin region report a strong demand for tropical flowers. Belinda Shipp, owner of Rain Florist in Darwin, emphasized the need for new growers to sustain the industry, not only to take over existing operations but also to introduce more flower varieties.
“We have customers who buy regular tropical flowers because of the quality of them, as they will last up to three weeks up here,” Shipp said. She expressed concern that the shortage of local growers might lead to the need for importing flowers from overseas to meet the growing demand.
In light of these challenges, there is a call for new entrants to consider joining the industry, with a recognition that supporting the tropical flower sector could be a rewarding venture for those interested in contributing to its sustainability.
