Sector already has US$ 1.35 billion in income and foresees 9% of increase in the year
Valor Econômico
Flowers are far from being a first necessity article, except for what they represent for brides, those in mourning and, of course, for the florists themselves. But that shouldn't be anything: the sector kept on growing in spite of the global crisis, the apprehension with the demand for agricultural products and frustrating projections or not for the performance of the GDP in the year.
The sector sold nearly R$ 2.5 billion (US$ 1.5 billion) in 2008, according to Renato Opitz, president of the sector chamber for flowers and ornamental plants of the Ministry of Agriculture. The projected growth for this year amounts to 9%. "The activity was very good until June, but it fell a little in July. If it stays at 9% it is good", he affirms. Amid a moment of difficulties in the economy, the segment projects increasing its size in almost one tenth and faces it almost as consolation prize. The billionaire sales do not concern with the price paid to the producer, but to the businesses made in the retail market. Therefore, it includes the expenditure made with floral arts, packages or extra frills placed in the flower arrangements, and not made exclusively for the acquisition of the plants.
The flower market has upheld its growth in a series of factors. Among them is also the consolidation of the sale of flowers in supermarkets that allows the impulse purchase - nobody, after all, goes to Pão de Açúcar or Carrefour only to buy daisies. "The sale in supermarkets has already been taking place for some years, but the presentation in the stores, the space reserved for them, is much better than in the beginning", says Pitz.
According to him, for the growth of the sector, even during the economic crisis, it is also important the dissemination of a variety of better cultivars. With the importation of more resistant bulbs, roses, for instance, that used to live from four to five days at the consumer's house can survive up to 14 days. That also increases the time during which the plant can be sold.
There is still a great deal of informality in the market, what makes it difficult, among other things, to make the verification of the data on the sales. In general, however, everyone is optimistic. "We have not felt the impact of the crisis so much", says Ronaldo Micotti da Glória, director of flowers and plants of Terra Viva, which cultivates ornamental plants and flowers and completes 50 years in 2009.