Hello, it's Tuesday 2 December 2025. Welcome to December!

Tonight's episode is all about buying imports vs British-grown flowers (or wherever you're growing if you're not in the UK). It's a very hot topic and this episode is based entirely on a podcast I listened to this morning between two UK florists who talk about the pressure they feel to only use British flowers, and why they actually have to use Dutch imports.

There are many reasons why florists can't rely on British flowers for 12 months a year: we just can't grow everything all year round so there's always going to be a place for imports. What growers really need is a better dialogue (and a stronger working relationship) with their local florists to understand their needs better and be able to service those needs. If we don't have this, we won't understand our clients properly and won't be able to provide stems for them.

And let's talk about the problems associated with some imports, particularly roses. There are widespread reports of environmental pollution in areas where roses are grown in Africa but more importantly, let's talk about the health implications of a predominantly female workforce being exposed to chemicals with inadequate PPE. Do people really want to buy roses that have been produced like this? I know that I don't.

Finally, tonight's episode ends with some thoughts about how growers could work in a better ways with florists so that we all benefit. It really would be a win-win for us. So, all in all, a hot topic indeed. I highly encourage you to check out the links below and read the articles. If you have time, the dissertation makes eye-opening (and sad) reading.

I'd love to know what you think: send me a DM on insta @henhillcutflowers.

Please come back and join me for the next episode - you're always welcome.

LINKS:

1. An Unrosy Affair: Europe's Flower Trade Fuels Climate Crisis in Kenya: https://www.journalismfund.eu/unrosy-affair-how-europes-love-flowers-affecting-kenya

2. Joanne's episode about imports vs British flowers: https://thediaryofaflorist.podbean.com/e/episode-19-using-imported-vs-british-flowers-with-lindsey-from-the-white-horse-flower-company/

3. Dissertation: THE THORNS BEHIND BLOOMING ROSES: THE IMPACT OF THE LAW ON THE WORKING CONDITIONS OF WOMEN ON FLOWER FARMS IN NAIVASHA, KENYA, a dissertation by Mr WILFRED NYAUNDI KONOSI:

https://searcwl.ac.zw/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/The-Thorns-Behind-Blooming-Roses-The-Impact-Of-The-Law-On-The-Working-Conditions-Of-Women-On-Flower-Farms-In-Naivasha-Kenya.pdf

4. BBC report entitled 'Toiling on a Kenyan Flower Farm to Send Fresh Roses to Europe': https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4glydv8qlgo

5. An article by the Ethical Trade Initiative about the exploitation of women flower workers in Kenya:

https://www.ethicaltrade.org/resources/blog/dark-side-flower-sector-growing-exploitation-women-kenya

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