Floriculture in Taiwan

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Floriculture is a major industry in Taiwan, and the country is one of the world's largest flower exporters, especially for orchids. In 2013 Taiwan harvested flowers worth NT$16.52 billion, with about US$189.7 million exported. The country has about 138 square kilometers of land for flower farming, and chrysanthemums use the most land. Orchids made up about 87% of Taiwan’s flower export value in 2013. The United States, Japan, and the Netherlands are the main export markets.

Many small flower growers receive extensive support from both the government and private sector, and many farms are family businesses passed down through generations. Tianwei is a traditional center of the industry and is known as the “land of flowers.”

The high-end orchid business began in the 1970s when hobbyists started collecting and breeding orchids. As Taiwan’s economy grew, these hobbyists invested more in developing and crossbreeding new orchids. In the 1980s, large Taiwanese companies adopted Dutch cultivation techniques to mass-produce flowers. In the early 1990s, Taiwanese producers helped start modern floriculture in China, especially around Kunming. In 2005 Taiwan surpassed Thailand to become the world’s top orchid producer.

The export-oriented flower market was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, but strong domestic demand and government support helped keep the industry viable. By 2022 Taiwan was the largest exporter of orchids to the United States.

The Taipei Flower Market is Taiwan’s largest plant and flower market. The main industry association is the Taiwan Floriculture Development Association, with additional associations for orchid producers and other high-value groups.

The country hosted the 2010 Taipei International Flora Exposition, held from November 6, 2010, to April 25, 2011. It was recognized by the International Association of Horticultural Producers and was Taiwan’s first international horticulture expo. The event area is now Taipei Expo Park, located near Yuanshan Station. Another major expo, the Taichung World Flora Exposition, was held from November 3, 2018, to April 24, 2019, in Houli District, with 33 participating countries.