Based on the data statistics compiled by Taiwan’s Council on Agriculture, total exports of all categories of Taiwan flowers for the first ten months of 2009 were 28,336.18 metric tons representing a total export value of US$88,608,000. Compared to the previous year, the overall export amount decreased by 4.88%, while the export value declined by 1.31%.

Taiwan’s exports of flowers and their seedlings can be divided into “cut flower”, “stems”, “grasses”, “bulb flowers”, “flower seedlings”, “flower seeds” and “live flowering plants” categories. During this year, virtually every one of these categories experienced negative growth. Only tulips, Oncidium orchids and Phalaenopsis orchids in the cut flower category and Phalaenopsis orchids in the flower seedling category managed to see positive growth.

In cut flower market, total exports dropped by 12.24% but total exports of Oncidium orchids, which occupies the top rank in this category in terms of both export quantity and value, reached 1,122.56 metric tons which represented an increase of 8.94% over the previous year. The export amount for chrysanthemum ranked second at 345.87 metric tons. The export amount was US$705,000 which increased 1.67% over the previous year. In terms of growth, the fastest growing category was tulips whose export amount grew by 839.71%. The growth rate of Phalaenopsis orchids ranked second at 88.58%.

The overall export amounts for flower seedlings and live flowering plant markets continued to decline but Phalaenopsis orchids still managed to perform admirably. Flower seedling exports totaled 1,544.97 metric tons which was an increase of 7.99% over last year. The export value was US$12,943,400 rising 14.69% over the previous year. Live flowering plant exports totaled 3,545.24 metric tons, increasing 19.05%. Their export value was US$34,300,000, a figure 12.54% higher than last year.

Looking back over the conditions in the 2009 flower market, it can be said that Phalaenopsis orchids occupied a dominant position. If the Phalaenopsis orchid export numbers were taken out of the flower export statistics, a clear decline would have been seen in the overall market compared to the previous year. The meticulous and profession cultivation methods of Taiwan flower growers are still extremely competitive in international markets. If they can combined with correct and effective marketing campaigns, even greater successes can be attained in the future.