The Rise of Yunnan's Preserved Flower Industry: Global Leadership in Supply Chain & Innovation

Part 1: Industry Development Background

In 1987, German universities developed the first preserved flower after over a decade of research. French company Vermont patented the technology in 1991, commercializing it globally, and remains a key player today. During the 1990s, preserved flowers—limited to roses and lacking stems or leaves—were considered luxury items with exorbitant pricing.

The early 21st century marked a golden era for preserved flowers, especially in Asia. Japan’s Daiichi Engei Co., Ltd. pioneered independent production in 2002, launching preserved roses commercially by 2003. The company significantly advanced color diversity, plant variety, and cost-effective mass production. Today, industry leaders include France’s Vermont and Werdissimo, alongside Japan’s Daiichi Engei and Florever.

China’s preserved flower industry emerged in the early 2000s, gaining rapid consumer acceptance. Yunnan Province, home to Asia’s largest fresh-cut flower wholesale market and the world’s second-largest flower auction hub, became a strategic base for raw material sourcing. Over a decade, Yunnan evolved into the world’s largest supplier of semi-processed preserved flower materials.

Part 2: Current Status of Yunnan’s Preserved Flower Industry

Yunnan now dominates as a global preserved flower production and distribution center, hosting nearly 100 enterprises like Feiliya, and DreamGrass. Over 210 processing facilities—primarily in Kunming, with expansions to Chuxiong, Qujing, and even Guizhou Province—drive an estimated annual revenue of ¥5 billion (USD 700 million). Yunnan’s preserved flowers are distributed nationwide and exported to Japan, South Korea, Europe, and beyond.

The province’s success has spurred luxury floral brands (e.g., THE BEAST, Roseonly), retail labels (JoyFlower, Amyrose), and vertically integrated companies like DreamGrass and Feiliya. However, most producers still rely on traditional immersion methods, with only LULI utilizing proprietary "DreamGrass" plant cell fluid replacement technology.

Part 3: Competitive Advantages of Yunnan’s Industry

Raw Material Superiority:

Preserved flowers demand ultra-fresh inputs. Yunnan’s proximity to flower farms ensures quality, while seasonal oversupply (June-September) allows raw material costs to drop below ¥0.1 per stem—transforming into preserved flowers multiplies their value up to 30-fold.

Industrial Infrastructure:

Yunnan supplies 16.7% of global preserved flower materials, exporting to 50+ countries. Over 300,000 floral retailers (5,000 specializing in preserved flowers) depend on Yunnan’s ecosystem.

Technological Edge:

China holds 78 patents in preserved flower processing, positioning it alongside floral powerhouses like the Netherlands and Japan. Innovations ensure Yunnan remains a global innovation hub.