Exports of roses, lilies surge to record high in 2009

SEOUL, Jan. 27 (Yonhap) -- South Korean exports of roses and lilies surged to record-high levels in 2009, mainly due to the won's depreciation against the U.S. dollar and the development of specially bred flowers, a state-run agriculture trade corporation said Wednesday.

The Korea Agro-Fisheries Trade Corporation said exports of roses soared 70
percent on-year to US$20.13 million last year, the highest since the country
started tallying outbound shipments of the flower in 1994.
Overseas sales of lilies also shot up 30 percent compared to the previous year to
an unprecedented $24.74 million.
"Last year's rose exports that topped 3,203 tons were fueled by the weak won that
makes locally grown flowers cheaper in countries such as Japan and the rise in
demand for so-called 'magic roses,'" an official at the corporation under the
farm ministry said.
Magic roses, developed in late 2008, are coated with a special paint that changes
color with variations in light and temperature. They are sold at four times the
price of normal roses, highlighting the potential for future exports of high
value-added products.
Export prices of lilies, in addition, shot up from $7.50 per kilogram in 2008 to
$9.20 last year. The country sold 2,691 tons of lilies in 2009.
The trade corporation, meanwhile, said that exports to Japan made up the bulk of
all outbound shipments, but demand from Russia and other countries has started to
make steady gains.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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