Israel : Less acreage roses, more decorative green
Israel has been a major producer of cut flowers for years. Recently, production in Israel has been changing. The rose is disappearing and herbs and decorative green are now leading the way.
The average production area of a horticultural company in Israel was around two dunam (2000 m2) a number of years back. Different varieties of one crop were cultivated as well as several different crops. In recent years, however, there's been a need for cost reduction. As in Netherlands, we now see a move to larger production areas for each variety or product.
The coming period will see a large supply of Anemone and Ranunculus from Israel. These are grown on beds under mesh cloth, giving them an extra heavy quality.
Traditionally important products such as summer flowers, the Limonium, the waxflower and the Anemone are still being cultivated. However, roses tend to be grown for the local market only. The shift from the rose to different types of decorative green such as the Aspidistra and the Ruscus is one of the main trends of the last few years, but the cultivation of herbs is clearly on the rise.
Israeli growers want to grow products for the Dutch florist, so they are developing not only the heavy Anemone and the Ranunculus but also special forms of Phlox and Asclepias. These products are sold to the Dutch florist mostly through the clock and through wholesalers. The marketing of the companies and their products is also being developed; supported by shipping companies, the story behind the product is being increasingly promoted.
Source: FloraHolland