Floral Countdown: Turkey’s Blossoming Rush
When the world lost Queen Elizabeth, the floral industry got a surprise invitation to the front row. According to Selcuk Celebi, a trader from Antalya, cut‑flower orders in the UK have sky‑rocked by 90% since the monarch’s passing. The demand was so high that Turkish florists could only satisfy about 40% of the traffic.
Seasonal Stakes & High‑Altitude Heroes
“It’s the end of the season here in Antalya, and production in Isparta’s highlands is on the decline,” Celebi told Reuters, sounding like a therapist for wilted stems. To keep those roses flowing, florist owners upgraded their delivery plan—besides the usual truck haul, they’re now booking cargo planes.
Air transport means the bouquets reach the UK in one day versus a sluggish week by truck. Turkish Cargo, a sister airline, is leading the charge, shipping over 500,000 flowers, around 13 tonnes, from Antalya and Isparta to England for the funeral. It reported that since the beginning of the week, it’s already ferried approximately four tonnes of blossoms to London.
Numbers that Flower
- Between September 5 and 12, Turkey’s export of flowers to England jumped by 40% compared with last year.
- Every bouquet is a tribute—each petal a pixel of love for the late queen.
- Floral commerce might be flat, but here in Turkey, the buzz is literally airborne.
So, while the UK’s chefs get their presidential roses, Turkish factories keep their supply lines bubbling—thanks to the fast‑lane of sky‑high delivery, one flower at a time.
