Article: [Issue+] SECA Imminent, Flower Farmers on the Brink

[Flower Farming Newspaper=Reporter Kim Jin-oh] Over the past 20 years, the number of flower farmers has decreased by more than half while flower imports have steadily increased over the past 10 years. Mainly imported cut flowers and lilies, the world's major flower exporters are Ecuador and SECA. The government's support measures for flower farmers are inadequate, leading to an increase in unsold flowers at auctions and a decline in participation of new auction agents and brokers. Wholesalers indiscriminately sell imported flowers at market stalls, creating blind spots in management... The damage to farmers is spreading. Revision of the Flower Industry Act and an auction system for imported flowers are urgently needed to prevent market disruption and require accurate supply and demand control at the government level. The domestic flower industry, which has faced difficulties due to the increase in flower imports following the conclusion of past free trade agreements (FTAs), is facing strategic trade agreement (STA) challenges between South Korea and Ecuador in the first half of this year.