Growers and suppliers made enough adjustments to the challenges facing them in the coronavirus pandemic that, by many accounts, the season was a success.
In a recent survey, floral industry members say Mother’s Day sales were very strong, with only limited product sourcing and staff preventing even bigger numbers.
Shawn McBurney, Senior Director of Government Relations for the Society of American Florists, says policies related to immigration, trade, and tariff negotiations could have a big effect on floriculture.
Mel Schwanke was a member of the Society of American Florists Hall of Fame and, along with his surviving wife, Joey, was known throughout the floral industry for his passion and dedication.
The Society of American Florists says the U.S. has agreed to temporarily delay the escalation of certain tariffs on floriculture hard goods produced in China from 10% to 25%. The increase was scheduled to take effect in January.
The Senate’s version of the next Farm Bill includes language updating a law that protects the intellectual property of floral industry breeders, according to the Society of American Florists.
The report, which hadn’t been published since 2015, provides critical data on floral industry products and is widely considered to be the benchmark in identifying market trends and sales opportunities.
Rep. Jimmy Panetta, (D, CA), one of the floral industry’s biggest advocates in Congress, will deliver a pep talk to the Society of American Florists’ (SAF) Congressional Action Days participants before they meet with lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
Four breeders — Ball Horticultural Co., Dümmen Orange, Proven Winners, and Syngenta Flowers — will participate in the initial pilot, which will include greenhouse growing operations in six Latin American countries.
