With both the cut flower and artificial flower segments witnessing remarkable growth, the floral industry is thriving like never before.

According to Globe News Wire, the global market for cut flowers was $33.3 billion in 2022, with $8.3 billion coming from the US alone.

Looking ahead, the market is on an upward trajectory. It is projected to reach an impressive total of $50.1 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 5.3%.

This growth, however, isn’t just confined to natural flowers. The global artificial flower market is also poised for significant expansion. It is expected to hit an impressive figure of  $2275.33 billion in sales by 2030.

For US-based floral businesses, these stats suggest a great potential for increased sales and revenue.  

But to keep up with the rising flower demand, a balanced supply chain consisting of farmers, distributors, airlines, cargo, florists, and supermarkets, is required.

In this context, wholesale floral distributors play a key role as they supply a wide variety of flowers to florists, event planners, hotels, etc.

So, if you are seeking to establish a good relationship with a flower vendor, here are some tips that might help.

Tips to Choose a Wholesale Floral Distributor

• Begin by preparing a list of both cut and artificial flowers you are interested in. This will save you from wasting hours in confused wandering. Once you have your list, consider looking for a distributor who deals in your desired flower category.
  
  
• Choose a supplier who can provide useful information about the flowers they sell, advise you on the varieties best suited for your business, and share insights on what’s popular in the market.
  
  Also, an experienced supplier can give you some tips on how to care for natural flowers and increase their shelf-life.
  
  

• Consider requesting samples or initiating small test orders before committing to large volumes. This will allow you to assess the quality and customer response without making a significant upfront investment.
  
  

For cut flowers, inquire about their freshness, storage conditions, packaging, and transportation means. Ideally, the distributor should have temperature-controlled facilities or refrigeration units to prevent different flower varieties from wilting.

In the case of artificial flowers, check the samples for visual appeal, realistic details, and material used.

• Ask the supplier how long it will take them to deliver the flowers to you.
  
  
• Prefer distributors who partner with flower farms or grow their flowers. This way, you’ll not only benefit from fresh blooms but also from reduced costs associated with a lengthy supply chain.
  
  
• Ensure that the vendor you choose can handle urgent orders. This can be helpful during peak seasons when the demand for certain products rises and you require quick restocking to meet the needs of your customers.
  
  
• Ask the vendor if they have access to a processing facility as cut flowers need immediate processing to preserve their freshness.
  
  

Where to Find a Good Floral Distributor?

When searching for floral distributors, there are several options to choose from.

You can either visit the local floral markets in your area or search online by exploring directory listings and wholesale marketplaces.

Wherever you source your products from, keep the above-mentioned tips in mind and discuss the key aspects with potential vendors including pricing, payment details, post-order services, etc. to make an informed choice.