Strengthening the Ecosystem of the Floriculture Industry: Advancing Production, Distribution, and Consumption
Establishing a Stable Production Base through Facility Modernization and Automation
Promoting Local Flower Consumption and Floriculture Industry Development
Goyang International Flower Expo to Be Held from April 25 to May 11
Goyang Special City, Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Lee Dong-hwan) is leading the growth of the floriculture industry by leveraging the strengths of the nation’s only designated floriculture industry special zone.
According to Goyang City on the 24th, the city is continuously promoting the transition of local farms to smart farms, and this year, it will support 34 farms with ICT greenhouses managed via mobile phones, multi-layer thermal curtains that save energy, and remodeling of internal and external facilities.
Additionally, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the city supports renewable energy facilities that supply heating and cooling using geothermal energy, plans to improve export complex facilities, and expand contract cultivation for farms participating in the Goyang International Flower Expo.
In particular, the Goyang Floriculture Complex located in Wondang-dong and Jugyo-dong, Deogyang-gu, Goyang City, was designated in 2006 as the nation’s first regional special development zone for the floriculture industry, leading South Korea’s floriculture sector.
As the largest floriculture production complex in the metropolitan area, it has established an industry-academic-research floriculture cluster, developing over 30 new rose varieties such as ‘Milargo,’ ‘Hollandia,’ ‘Ocean Buzz,’ and ‘Hestia,’ while conducting variety improvement and technical support.
Despite the domestic and international downturn in the floriculture market, last year, 48 farms within the Goyang Floriculture Industry Special Zone achieved sales of 14.4 billion KRW, and the cut flower and potted flower sorting centers recorded sales of 5.7 billion KRW.
Automated greenhouse integrated with ICT (Information and Communication Technology). Provided by Goyang Special City
Based on these achievements, in January, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups approved the extension of the special zone until 2027 for an area of approximately 340,000 square meters, including the Goyang Floriculture Distribution Center.
Opened in 2023, the Goyang Floriculture Distribution Center is a dedicated comprehensive distribution facility for floriculture products, equipped with collection, storage, wholesale and retail sales, and auction functions.
The Goyang Floriculture Distribution Center is located at 1292 Wondang-dong, Deogyang-gu, covering a site area of 41,863 square meters and a total floor area of 2,771 square meters. It boasts convenient transportation and proximity to Seoul and Incheon airports, serving as a hub for floriculture distribution and import-export.
To supply high-quality products, the center is equipped with automated heating and cooling facilities, and the use of dedicated refrigerated transport vehicles is being expanded. Furthermore, the electronic auction system enhances transaction transparency and contributes to stabilizing market prices, thereby increasing farm incomes.
A view of the Wondang Flower Complex within the Goyang Flower Special Zone. Provided by Goyang Special City
The Goyang Floriculture Distribution Center, which recorded sales of 15 billion KRW last year, aims to exceed 20 billion KRW in sales this year by expanding distribution volume. It plans to revitalize auctions through loans to intermediate wholesalers and sales incentives, ease the deposit system for retail distributors to reduce their burden, and strengthen various support policies. Additionally, a Flower Mart selling high-quality fresh flowers at reasonable prices will operate year-round to promote retail sales.
In May last year, Goyang City enacted the ‘Ordinance on the Promotion and Revitalization of the Floriculture Industry in Goyang City’ to establish a legal basis for supporting the development of the local floriculture industry and the promotion of floriculture culture.
The city actively encourages the use of fresh flower wreaths at public institution events and plans to use more than 80% of the flowers used in exhibitions at this year’s Goyang International Flower Expo from locally grown supplies through prior consultation with local floriculture organizations.
The Goyang International Flower Expo, first held in 1997, marks its 17th edition this year. It has become Goyang City’s representative festival and a leading floriculture industry expo in South Korea, attracting 8.77 million domestic and international visitors up to last year.
Last year’s expo generated an economic ripple effect of 112.9 billion KRW, with 200 domestic and international business consultations and expected contracts worth 2.3 million USD.
Lee Dong-hwan, Mayor of Goyang Special City, is delivering a greeting at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Goyang International Flower Expo. Photo by Goyang Special City
This year’s Goyang International Flower Expo will be held from April 25 to May 11 at Ilsan Lake Park. Under the theme ‘Flowers, Imagination, and Fragrance,’ the expo will feature large landmark themed gardens, a flower theme park, unique fantasy gardens, and a lakeside park aerial garden. Additionally, gardens designed by Goyang citizens and the Goyang Local Garden created by local floriculture farms will be showcased.
Mayor Lee Dong-hwan of Goyang Special City said, “Goyang is an advanced city with a well-established floriculture industry ecosystem connecting production, distribution, tourism, and culture. We will continue to develop the city’s specialized industries and nurture them as future growth industries.”
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