Turkey Sends 80 Million Flowers Abroad for International Women’s Day
Turkey Ships 80 Million Flowers to 35 Countries Ahead of March 8
Türkiye’s ornamental plant sector has completed large-scale international shipments ahead of International Women’s Day, exporting approximately 80 million flowers to 35 countries worldwide. The main export destinations are the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
Strong Growth in Export Performance
According to Ismail Yilmaz, Chair of the Ornamental Plants and Products Exporters’ Association, the sector recorded significant growth compared to the previous year.
Last year, exports for International Women’s Day reached around $9 million, while this year the figure increased to approximately $12 million, reflecting a 15% rise in total export value.
“This year we achieved a turnover of around $12 million, compared to $9 million last year. Demand has clearly increased across key markets,” said Ismail Yilmaz.
Main Flower Varieties and Logistics
The export shipments mainly consist of:
- Carnations
- Hyacinths
Flowers are first collected and packaged in warehouses located in Antalya, a major production hub for Türkiye’s ornamental plant industry. From there, they are distributed to international markets across Europe and beyond.
Key Export Markets
Türkiye’s ornamental flowers are shipped to a wide range of countries. The primary markets include:
- Netherlands
- United Kingdom
- Germany
- Romania
- Bulgaria
- Ukraine
- Russia
Despite ongoing geopolitical tensions, shipments continue to both Ukraine and Russia, alongside stable demand from European markets.
Industry Scale and Employment
Türkiye’s ornamental plant sector operates on approximately 15,000 acres of cultivated land and remains a major contributor to the national economy.
The industry provides employment for:
- 100,000 people directly
- 300,000 people indirectly
A key feature of the sector is its strong role in female employment, with approximately 80% of workers being women. This highlights the industry’s importance not only in exports but also in supporting social and economic participation for women in Türkiye.
