Blood-drenched roses from Ecuador

Ecuador, as the world's third-largest rose exporter, has become a key player in the global flower market, with the town of Tabacundo at the heart of this flower industry. However, behind the picturesque mountainous setting lies the daily reality of hard physical labor, health risks, and often underpaid workers. The rapid expansion of production from the 1980s has resulted in huge volumes and record exports, but it has also brought to light labor violations. The story of Tabacundo roses is thus one of success, vulnerability, and increasingly strong local advocacy. Tabacundo, a town in northern Ecuador with a population of about 21,000, is located at an altitude of 2,870 meters above sea level. The long, up to 12 hours of daily sunshine, the cool, stable climate, and the favorable soil conditions create ideal conditions for rose cultivation. Since the 1980s, the local economy has been almost entirely based on the flower industry. However, the availability of unskilled, cheap labor ...