Floral: Resources

Florverde Fact Sheet

The following information is provided courtesy of Florverde and ASOCOLFLORES - Colombian Association of Flower Exporters

Colombia is the leading supplier of cut flowers to the United States.

• Three quarters (77%) of all cut flowers imported into the United States come from Colombia and are valued at over $418 million at customs.
• In 2006, Colombia exported more than two billion flower stems to the U.S., an increase of 60% since 2002.
• In 2006, Colombian flowers dominated the U.S. market providing 97% of alstroemerias sold, 92% of carnations sold, 93% of mums sold and 62% of roses sold. 
• In 2006, U.S.-Colombian bilateral trade was an estimated $14.7 billion.
• After Holland, Colombia is the second largest exporter of flowers in the world, exporting $906 million worth of flowers world-wide in 2005.

Since it was created in 199, Florverde® has evolved from a program of continuous improvement to a recognized standard for social development and environmental care.

• Florverde® was initially created to enhance overall performance by providing a systemized approach to improve labor conditions and advance sustainable environmental practices.
• Initial participation in Florverde® is voluntary. Once certified compliance is mandatory to maintain certification.
• More than 160 farms comprising half of the Colombian floriculture acreage participate in Florverde® today.
• Compliance with Florverde® is audited annually by SGS, a respected international auditing and certification company, also used by many major U.S. corporations.

Florverde's® commitment to social development improves the quality of life of its workforce, primarily female heads of households.

• Florverde® farms provide their workers with health insurance, disability and retirement benefits.
• The average work week in member companies is 46.5 hours vs. the legal work week of 48 hours and the average wage of workers is higher (20%) than the minimum legal wage.
• Workers on Florverde®-certified farms are required to be over 18 years old.
• Florverde®-certified farms provide access to on-site medical care, dining areas and hot meals and increasingly offer child care, housing subsidies and literacy education.
• Florverde® uses the data it collects to advance the social needs of the growing communities and design new programs accordingly.

Florverde-farm use of agricultural chemicals is consistent with United States' regulations and all workers handling such products receive extensive training and protective equipment.

• Since 1998, Florverde® farms have reduced their use of pesticides an average 38 percent. 
• Use of agricultural chemicals on Florverde®-certified farms is consistent with U.S. regulations. Chemicals banned in the United States are also banned in Colombia.
• Sustainable farming practices minimize chemical and water use. While agricultural chemicals are often necessary, the Colombian flower industry encourages sustainable farming through the use of pest management methods to reduce pesticide use, drip irrigation, rainwater collection systems and organic fertilization.
• Florverde®’s goal is to reduce pesticide use by 60% from today’s levels in three years.
• Florverde®’s labor and environmental standards require extensive training with respect to the handling and use of agricultural chemicals and require use of personal protective equipment as outlined in training materials.

Florverde Farms receive independent certification by SGS, a leading inspection, verification, testing, and certification company servicing major brands such as McDonald's and The Gap.

• SGS independently audits to determine whether farms comply with compulsory standards and certifies farms accordingly. Starting in 2007, certified farms will be inspected annually by SGS and submit quarterly reports. 
• To be certified, farms must comply with all compulsory standards related to environmental standards and codes of conduct.
• Florverde® standards are developed based on requirements established by NGOs, retailers’ expectations, individuals interested in the improvement of the entire sector and by evaluating codes established by other certification labels.
• Since Colombian farmers participate in the initial goal setting process, Florverde® standards are viewed as more realistic.