On Thursday night Foreign Correspondent takes viewers behind the vibrant scenes of the global flower trade, exploring the billion-dollar industry and revealing the true cost of the flowers we buy. Often a go-to gift for special occasions, this episode examines the price of out-of-season blooms, including the impact in Australia.
Reporter Isabella Higgins travels to the Netherlands, the country at the heart of the flower trade, to investigate how the industry is tackling the dual challenges of the climate crisis and soaring energy costs. While the flower industry aims to reduce its carbon footprint, it also faces increasing competition from low-cost alternatives.
The pressure on European flower markets is intensifying due to competition from African growers, particularly those in Kenya, who offer cheaper flowers that often end up on Australian supermarket shelves. Higgins also journeys to Kenya to understand the impact of this competition and the implications for the flower industry as a whole.
Foreign Correspondent airs on ABC and ABC iview on Thursday, 22 August 2024, at 8.00 pm.
