support of SENA, Colombia's national apprenticeship program. This partnership not ... during peak season, and a majority
Colombia’s flower-growing industry is one of the country’s most dynamic economic sectors, advancing Colombian workers and their families, as well as supporting businesses at home and in the United States. The industry has particularly empowered Colombian women, helping them care for themselves and their families, which is something to celebrate on International Women’s Day. Social Impact
According to Asocolflores, the Association of Colombian Flower Exporters, 90 percent of flower growers are women – and many of them heads of household.
For women growers, especially, the industry is empowering – providing good wages that allow them to care for themselves as well as their families.
To further advance the welfare of workers and their families and communities, Asocolflores has implemented a series of programs focused on housing, education, recreation and building a culture of peace for the country.
One of these programs, Asocolflores-home, has helped more than 29,000 families of flower growers achieve the dream of owning a home or improving their homes through construction.
Photos: Flower growers; Children in Jardin de la Aurora, Suesca, Cundinamarca, one of many Colombian flower industry neighborhood initiatives.
More than 4,500 workers are being trained annually through the education programs offered by Asocolflores, with the support of SENA, Colombia’s national apprenticeship program. This partnership not only provides opportunities to increase job skills, but also contributes to the quality of life and welfare of workers.
In addition, more than 1,100 workers who belong to socially vulnerable groups have benefited from training and job opportunities on Colombian flowers farms, made possible through an alliance between Asocolflores and the Department of Social Prosperity.
Another Asocolflores program, Cultivating Peace in the Family®, has positively impacted the lives of more than 50,000 workers and their families by promoting nonviolent resolution of conflict and communication.
Economic Impact
The Colombian flower industry is valued at more than $1 billion and employs more than 130,000 workers across 60 municipalities in Colombia.
Colombia’s flower industry directly and indirectly supports 200,000 jobs in the United States – from local florists to air transport and delivery services.
Colombia exports more than 500 million flowers to the United States annually and roughly 75 percent of all cut flowers sold in the United States are from Colombia.
Photo: Grower watering plants
In 2015, Colombia exported nearly $1.3 billion worth of flowers to 90 countries, including $992 million worth of flowers to the United States.
Approximately 150 companies import and distribute Colombian flowers in the United States, and around 30-35 cargo planes loaded with flowers fly out of Colombia daily during peak season, and a majority land in Miami.
This International Women’s Day, take a Colombian flower in support of local industries like Colombia’s flower industry that empower and improve the lives of women and their families around the world. Photos courtesy of “Colombian Grown: The Dazzling Magic of Colombian Flowers,” Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and Ascolflores, Association Colombian Flower Exporters
