As the number of flower imports have risen, it has also created a thorn for local rose growers who have been struggling to compete.
Last year, Stuart and Vicki Lowe closed their floral shop, saying imports from Columbia and Zimbabwe came in at a cheaper rate than what most local industries could grow the roses for.
With Australia’s floriculture industry dropping 3.3% in the last financial year, substantial increase in rose imports from Kenya and Columbia have also taken away the Netherland’s major market share in the global flower trade.