Florida sales sour despite hurricanes

Florida’s nursery and landscape industry sales reached $15.2 billion in 2005 -- a 54-percent increase in five years, according to an economic impact study by the University of Florida. Foliage sales ranked second behind ornamental shrubs.

Tropical foliage sales totaled $437 million, representing 14.5 percent of the total plant sales in 2005.

Palm sales accounted for $220 million or 7.3 percent of total sales. Cut foliage and flowers were combined together with sales of $96 million.

Most of Florida’s foliage growers ship product to the Northeast, according to the study. Foliage sales by market area in 2005 were: 30 percent in the Northeast; 12 percent in Florida; 13 percent in the Southeast; 18 percent in the Midwest; and 9 percent in the West.

This growth occurred despite eight major hurricanes in 2004 and 2005.

“To have an industry grow so expansively in the face of the recent tropical punches thrown by Mother Nature is a true testimonial to the resiliency of the hardworking professionals in Florida’s nursery and landscape industry,” said Paul Polomsky, president of Florida Nursery Growers and Landscape Association.

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For more: FNGLA, 1533 Park Center Drive, Orlando, FL 32835; (800) 375-3642; www.fngla.org.