Fleurop & Swiss Flowers

Sustainability has been an important topic for Fleurop for a long time. In 2022, it therefore decided to also offer bouquets and flower arrangements made exclusively with Swiss flowers. Initially only from July to September. But thanks to the good acceptance, these were offered from February to October from 2023 and the selection was expanded. This decision was preceded by answers to the questions of whether Swiss cut flower production is sufficient and how Fleurop partners who do not have their business near a flower exchange can stock up on them. Fleurop now offers the latter the opportunity to order Swiss flowers directly from the flower exchange via an internal purchasing system.

There are hardly any Swiss flowers from November to January because it's too cold. Nevertheless, you don't have to travel too far for stylish decorations. Because there are some typical Christmas plants and flowering houseplants that are very likely to come from Switzerland. Finally, the decorated little Christmas trees from Fleurop, planted in a pot, are guaranteed to have been produced in Switzerland.

A survey of flower exchanges revealed that the proportion of Swiss cut flowers throughout the year is around 30-40 percent. These have only advantages. Economically, because the entire added value remains in Switzerland. In terms of sustainability, because they are grown in Switzerland. The transportation routes are short, and they reach the florist very fresh. In addition, Swiss flower producers also think ecologically when it comes to energy, pesticides and cultivation techniques. Finally, biodiversity is promoted because many native flowers are grown in Switzerland.

Many Fleurop partners grow their own flowers, while others must buy Swiss flowers. But everyone is committed to quality. The corona pandemic in particular has triggered a rethink. When there was a lack of flowers from Holland in the first wave, people suddenly realized that there are also Swiss flowers - and, moreover, beautiful and of first-class quality. After all, thanks to short transportation routes, they have less stress and therefore have a longer vase life. In addition, they often open better than imported cut flowers because the local ones do not have to be harvested as early.

A survey of flower stores shows that until 2020, many customers did not realize when they were buying local flowers and only noticed that they had a good shelf life and always opened. But since regionality and environmental awareness have played an increasingly important role, more and more people are explicitly asking for Swiss flowers. Nevertheless, more is needed for good market penetration, which is why Fleurop is doing targeted educational work.

Fleurop has created flyers and labels so that flower recipients can immediately see what makes a bouquet or arrangement with Swiss flowers so special. These are not only communicated on the website but are also supplied with every floral item. If you want to find out more about Swiss flowers, simply scan the QR code. Fleurop has also created a flower calendar on its website, which shows which of the most popular cut flowers are in bloom in which month. In this way, the aim is to awaken consumers' sense of seasonality.

To whet people's appetite for more Swissness, September 1 is «Swiss Flower Day». This is a good reason to celebrate local flowers. With Swiss flowers, of course. Because we have many dedicated producers in Switzerland who grow the most beautiful flowers well into the fall. Not only small and large-flowered chrysanthemums, berry and fruit twigs, as well as grasses, but also - depending on the weather - sunflowers, dahlias, staticas, rudbeckias, echinaceas, chervils, dill and hypericum.