Flower exports from India are expected to register a 25 per cent growth this year, mainly due to an increase in exports to Australia.

According to Mr A Ramesh, president of the South India Floriculturists Association, the cost of establishing a floriculture unit today has gone up considerably. As a result, Indian floriculture 'is now able to compete in the international market'.

However, Ramesh said the size of the Indian industry is too small to make any impact on the global flower market. Flower production occupies just 200 hectares of the land in India at present while the minimum size to make its presence felt globally is estimated by the association to be 2,000ha.

The Indian government has appointed a new committee, headed by the director-general of foreign trade, to look into upgrading production units, but has yet to make recommendations.

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